LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 276, 27 November 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

(From Our London Correspondent.)

REGENT-STREET, September 18

This year it is considered to indicate quite 'bad form' to wear white or cpeam veilings spotted with black. That style is now merely adopted by those who wish to render themselves very conspicuous in the street. Deepcoloured falls are not deemed much better; indeed, perhaps the only really fashionable voilettes are black ones slightly dotted. The prettiest in this style is the thin Russian widemeshed net with chenille spots scattered at intervals. Cream lace, provided it be of first-rate quality, is also very charming an addition to our hats and bonnets ; but, if the material is not sufficiently transparent, the effects are disastrous to the sight. We recently heard of a young lady who was nearly run over in a very busy thoroughfare on acount of the thickness of her veil. Scarlet is not exactly the colour one would select on a blaring midsummer day, but the fashion verdict has irrevocably gone forth that quite till the return of autumn—and probably even longer—red in every shade will continue to hold an important place on the list of our modes. A cardinal hat-model, from Paris, is in 'bass' straw, with a draping of crepe.

The bunch of poppies, which raises the shape at the back, completes the rather 'flashy' study in scarlet. One of the great features in the millinery of to-day and to-morrow is this adoption of a single coloxir in different tones. Here is a 'symphony' in different shades of violet. This artistic little toque is bent in and out in the most becoming manner. It is made of rough 'satin' straw in a deep nuance of violet. A bunch of mauve pansies is pinned under one side ol the brim ; and above this little nosegay is a full piqtiet of the same flowers kept in place by a twist of violet silk ribbon with a border of heliotrope gauze. The same trimming forms several loops on the right side. This close hat has one of the now crown* that develop into a point in front and graduate tqwards ,the Jtend after the nianner of tM Xam O'Shanter.

Some of the latest bolero designs are perfect of their kind, those planned in one with a vest being always more likely to fit the figure,

as the others have usually a nasty knack of standing out from the back. It is in the cutting of these little jackets that a tailor finds the opportunity of proving his value and skill. In our sketch the bolero is made of black and white checked bengaline sillc," wfttt * ttlmmiftg ot naWw black velvet bebe ribbon. In one with the short coat is a cherry-coloured satin blousett ( e covered .e,crii ,gu.ip_ure ? whipn tones down the cerise tb aavantage. Some cherry ribbon is tied round the waist and throat.

Now is the period to think out frocks that will keep us cool during the hottest months of the year. Th<3 same toilettes will come in handy,:

afterwards —we must consider—for the river and seaside. The Parisiennes, who generally excel where a chic simplicity is required, are

responsible for a new delightfully easy and fresh full-length washing gown. This little costume is in white drill. Of course, this material is not a startling- novelty ; but it is a conservative one, and one which, like serge, is never out of the 'running' in the wardrobe of a true elegante. The way the dress is modelled is, however, quite new, and natural^ this point is the principal one to be observed. Somebody very world-wise in a certain novel by a pet authoress emphasises even the beauty of sackcloth if it is cut by master hands. The skirt is quite plain, while the basqued coat is belted in an original manner with black satin ribbon, and is thrown open with large revers on either side of a waistcoat turned out as a Louis XV. ruffle in linden green Indian muslin. . KOSELLE.