London and Paris Fashions.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 156, 4 July 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

London and Paris Fashions.

(FROM OOE LONDON CORRESPONDENT.)

Regbnt-sxeeet, May 23.

Black and purple is a charming and mosb becoming combination, given the righb shade be chosen; the deep rich one of a plum, for instance. A brunette would look delightful in it, bub a blonde Btill more so. To the latter, therefore, I recommend the exceedingly stylish and taking chapeau" depicted in Fig. 1. The shape has a broad brim, and crown of some four inches high, of deep plum coloured velvet. Round theentireedge of brim lies a full ruching, or double-box pleating of black chiffon ; bhe same forming a species of ruff round the edge of the crown bop. Violets, shading from the deepest bo lightest bints, form a big cluster on the lefb side, and a full, tall block osprey rieea in majestic feabherliness from amongsb them. Though bhere are a few specially favoured models, of course—nobably ab the present moment the felb hat of the Alpine geniusone can wear almost anything in the matter of headgear now, wibhoun the risk of appearing remarkable, or, whab would be sbill more objecbionable in bhe eyes of tho many, oub of the mode. This is an advantage we cannob well over-rate, bb* every woman has the chance of looking her besb by adopting the hat or bonneb thab lends itself most becoming to her individual facial

characteristics; added bo whioh there was never, perhaps, a wider field of choice in the matter of trimmings and colourings; so, ladies, make your choice, and lose nob the golden opportunities of the present accommodative millinery modes.

Apropos this brings us to a very smart and stylish example of a tailor suib, which, though as nabty as possible, is not too severe to be pretty and picturesque at the same time, Fig. 2 illustrates this successful costume, which is builb of green military cloth ; the ekirb fitting tightly over the hips, and very full, round hem ; which has a narrow .border of sable and three rows of black tubular braid. The jacket is tight fitting with a Bhorb baeque, is edged entirely round wibh narrow sable and a row of the braid ; straps of which cross the

front of bodice to the waist. With this costume a green velvet toque ia worn, trimmed with sable and bouquets of violets; a sable muff completing the tout ensemble.

Up till now, the ' Directoire ' jupe seems hardly (excepting in the case of dignified dowagers) to have found the favour that one expected. No. Young people still adhere to the simple hanging skirt, and in this they are wise, for the plainer it, is the more juvenile does ib look. As a finale to this column, there is the sketch of a charming gown in Lincoln green cloth, with a strip of ' holly-berry' velvet round tho waist, and some more of thie prebby red material at the throat. The originality of this model principally consists in the manner in which the corsage is treated.

Here there is a kind of Zouave effect) obtained by chains of steel sequins, a design of the same metal trimming being introduced across-the cheat. Throughout the skirt is lined with a Boffc French lining—eilk matching the velvet on the dress, nnd tho jupe is cut so charmingly in ample godets that as tho wearer steps along glhnpsea of the vivid crimson are revealed.

ROSELLH,