London and Pans Fashions

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 56, 7 March 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

London and Pans Fashions

(FROM OQB LONDON CORBESf ONDENS.)

Regent-street, February 8. Feather tiimining round the edge of hafca was revived thi« autumn, many of the moat stylish models being finished by bhia ex« extremely pretty aud becoming framing for the face. In Fig. 1, this, with bvro other modish features, isahown on a veryfine black straw hat of the now round broad brim and jam poo crown genus. The feather bordering is black ostrich, and the trimming of the crown consists of the Pompadour ribbon which I have already referred to as one of the latest millinery introductions, and a group of black ostrich feathers standing up at the back, arranged (as they nearly all are now) in a group of three, like thePrinca of Wales'a plumes. The ribbon is cream colour with coloured flower brocade, and is broad. It is folded round the base of the crown, fastened in front by a, paste brooch, and then spread out on either eida in three long loops over the brim. This is such a moment for veils of every coa?

ceirable description thab bhe feather trimming borderings eeam bo hare arrived ail the wrong time, their beauties being hidden frequently by voluminous drapinga of net, tulle or whatnot. v

Pompadour brocades, you will" see, will be much used for handsome evening ' gowns this winter, and combined with lace, ' chiffon or velveb, a more fascinating dress could hardly ba procured. In Fig. 2 I have a stylish littl* cape from [ one ot the new autumn models. Ib is of dark indigo-blue cloth, and has white cloth : strapping so placed as to simulate two over capes. "IVo straps fasten ib ab bhe upper

part with large pearl buttons, and the turnover collar ia of white cloth with an overlay of indigo-blue velveb. With this smart; caps is worn one of this reason's felb hat shapes somewhat resembling a clerical ' shovel' hat, in indigo-blue fell); velveb and ostrich tips of the same shade composing the brimming.

Flowered fabrics of all kinds are much favoured still for dressy wear, especially silks and mnalins. In Fig. 3 a very smarb toilette for promenade, race meeting, flower show, or garden party is illustrated. The gown ia built of pala green broche" silk, with a tiny yellow flower and green leaves. It is trimmed with btraps of narrow satin ribbon, terminating in roßettea of the same. A broad square collar is worn of white muslin tucked, and edged with a frill of Valenciennes lace. The toilette is completed by a dark green sbraw hat with •Beefeater' crown of velveb the eama colour, dark green ostrich tips, and a bunch of small yellow roses under the brim on the left side. ' The Society for the Protection of Birds' still wages its humane war against the craze for decorating hats and bonnet* with plumage of every description, including whole birds, which has raged, in spite of all protests and efforts, furiously all this year ; and much as we hoped the Autumn fashions will nob demand this cruel ornamentation, it 13, we' faar, a fancy that will never bo quite stamped out. Ostrich feather?, which never eefe shelved entirely, we need not relinquish,

as neither slaughter nor cruelty need ba entailed in procuring them. Thanks to tha fascinating Somalia' visit <;o Sydenhain, the ostrich has become quite a lion amongst as, his possibilities being much discussed. It) will bo very interesting to sco if the proposal of ostrich farming, sd'l agifcafciniy, comee to anyt.hiug ia England, and, if 80, whether various other su^tjetions, auch as owtrich as* food, and wholesale otnelebto?, etc., of ostrich egg, will a'so become fait