Loudon and Paris Fashions.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 19, 23 January 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

Loudon and Paris Fashions.

(FROM OUB LONDON CORRESPONDENT.)

Regent street, November 14. Once again we come to bhe close of the season, which has, fortunately, in spite of some dismal prognostications ab the commencement, proved a gay and bustling one ; the exceptionally fine weather having done much towards its success, as ib has made possible outdoor festivities, and various new departures in consequence have given a certain freshness and impetus.

Society is well on the wing now, and nob only Society, bub hundreds of bired workers, to whom bhe flight means far more than further excitement and amueernenb in differenb surrounding., bbc aim of bhe social holiday seekers, wibh whom life is one continual holiday. To bhe working bees in bhe world's great hive, the bwo or bhree weeks in the autumn are anticipated bhe year round, aa resb and peace, relaxation for fche ever-busy brain, and a mosb grateful cessation of continuous effort!.

Whether we circulate in-society with a big S, or in humbler, though no leas honourable, circumstances, bbc seeking of pastures new entails an overhauling of the wardrobe for the renovating of old or manufacture of new gowns, coats, and hats. The holiday portmanteaux is an easy mattes enough to the clientele oi Worth and Redfern ; bub bhe noble army of the impecunious have to carefully weigh bhe pros and cons, and I shall make my sketches for the nexb few * lebbers' with this fact in view. To begin with—a holiday hab. There should be ono, ab least, of thoroughly serviceable description, nob necessarily of too casb iron a pabbern, bub sufficiently solid to sband sea spray, unexpected showers, and gales. Such, for instance, as my model in Fig. 1. This is a Panama straw in one of the current shapes. It has a band of dark blue ribbon, and one of the popular libtle yachb brooches fastens a a couple of dark blue quills. This, with on& of bhe immortal sailor-hats, which should on no accounb whatever be trimmed bub with ribbon, or, ab most, a couple 6£ plain wings, should be sufficient for the useful portion of the headgear.

In Fig. 2 we havo _.n iaerp. naive b£very effective costume for eea-sjdo visifcorfr. The skirb is of bhe ever successful navy blue serge. The bodico is of Galatea ia dark blue aad white stripes, with white collar, and cuffs of the same or drill, finished by a dark blue necktie and one of the new white leather belts. With this is worn a dark blue straw sailor-hat, encircled by a white ribbon. Some of my readers may during soma sales have captured amongst their exraordinary bargains remnants of good Galatea which would make a couple of bhese bodices, and as most of us are in possession of a good navy serge skirb—and those who are nob ought to ba withoub furbher delay—a successful boilefcte is here obtained for pier or shore ab very libtle coat. Washing costumes are a greab item for bhe holiday trunk ; bhey keep clean bwice as long, of course, by the sea or in the country as in London, always look fresh end pretty, and if they do come to grief, can be restored completely by tbe laundress, and thus save a gown that would hove, been perhaps soiled or stained beyond recovery, and which would otherwise be -useful for home wear oa reburn.

White drills and hollands are both smart and frftah-looking, and wash so famously. In Fig. 3 a stylish model is shown for a washing gown, which could be carried oub wifch equal success in either drill or holland. ln bhe labber, ib would be trimmed with rows of narrow white hraid, aod white bntbona either side of bho vest piece. If in whibe drill, dark blue braid and buttons, or white braid and buttons on dark blue drill. The cape collar is detachable. With bhis costume a broad-brimmed haa in course whibe straw is trimmed simply by a folded band of dark blue ribbon, with one bg apibanding bow on bhe loft side. Rosxllb.