LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 148, 25 June 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

(From Our London Correspondent.)

As. it T the close of the <Kil\jt\£\ Summer it Avas ty\yi^-7J^l ' rumoured in r§h some quarters <Qs^^^___b^[ VH that the 'ToreaJK - m I dor'hafc w6uld \ no longer beconmJ^y^^j^fA**% sitlered 'good "^^/^Y-^^^^v j» form '.this WinAj Ky^ M ter. Buttocon-J-^iIVT pi/N. Uf cm(^e h'om the 'j ii / / //\ » " numbers of Society ay om c n Avho sported the shape on the opening days, both of 'Niagara' and the Argyle-street Ice Palace, the successful little model, Avhich suits most girls, will be as popular as ever during the cold season. Of course, the one and eleven-penny straw 'toreador,' trimmed with rosettes of taAvdry coloured ribbon and a piquet of inferior feathers can never look well. In praising the Spanish shape I have in

mind a thoroughly good and pretty hat after the style of that Avhich is here illustrated. This Avinter design is carried out in a soft felt of the new bright cornflower blue shade. Round the crown is a turban-draping of velvet to match. This trimming is drawn up a la Parisienne, very high on the left side, where it conceals the stem.-. of a piquet of cogues'' plumes harmonising in tint Avith the remainder of the model. The only touch of contrasting colour is supplied by a bunch of velvet tea-roses arranged under .he brim. This Avill be found a mostserviceable design, and one Avhich will carry the wearer right through ihe Avinter, provided she only requires the hat for every-day purposes, ancl has a more elaborate one for special occasions. Yes; cornfioAver blue is to be decidedly one of the pet colours for millinery. In spite of the repeated protests against the cruelty of slaying millions of innocent-birds in order to gratify wonien in their selfish and in-

ordinate vanity, the fashion of employing feathered bipeds in a lavish quantity for millinery purposes still flourishes, and indeed shows signs, if anything, of increasing. However, instead of utilising the Avhole bird, merely the head and shoulders are now considered chic.

The neAv shade of cornfloAver or Royal blue goes on increasing in popularity. In good satins or soft velvets or velveteens, this colour is perfect, and, what; is more, makes up into most delicious day blouses—to be donned with a black or dark woollen skirt of sonic kind. The blousette illustrated avUI be found a most becoming as Aveli a.s useful design. The greater portion of this fancy bodice—name.... the sleeves, the Avide box-pleat (loavu .he front and the simulated bolero —is fashioned iv royal blue velveteen of a first-iute quality, the frills and gathered undercorsage being in a supple make of ai satin to match.. Velveteen constitutes the folded ceinfure. Of course, if -preferred, crepe-de-chine might replace the satin, especially if the blouse is required for rather dressy ■ occasions. Single, or several box-pleats are to be found on most of the new bodices; some models having one at the back and two in front, on each side of a narrow full vest of some soft contrasting material. Somebody, recently returned from Paris, remarked to me the other day that the Russian blouse, as generally understood and worn over there, seems quite a different garment to some of the badly cut and lop sided loose coats adopted by moot Englishwomen, Seeing that the pc-pu- j

lar model has become so common and. is put on so badly by women' who eton t appreciate the true .art of dressing, there is every prospect of the Kussian blouse having a shorter reign than Avas anticipated amongst the elite of England. From comparatively old-world sources has been drawn the three-quarter velvet jacket Avhich buttons doAvn the front to as Mr as the Avaist Avith tiny medallions, and fits closely into the figure after tb*v manner of some of the coats .vom by our grandmothers. ~. ,

This illustration of an apron is sure to be popular for bazaars, fancy-dress, * or as a present to one's maid servants! It is cut Avith an ample skirt, and small daintily strapped bodice pieces. These straps, by the bye, are intended to cross the figure at the back, and buton on to the Avaistband, thus keeping all neat and trim, and avoiding the pernicious pin Avhich some untidy* servants are'ail too apt to employ. *This _ apron, if for. afternoon and best Aveaiy should be made of embroidery muslin or very fine camjbric. Cambric,Jhibwever, is very expensive, Avhile the embroidery muslin to which I refer is of ample width anc^ costs but sixpence •, a yard. Therefore, you see, such an apron is a matter of small moment ' as regards price. Ready-made these aprons cost at least tAvo shillings, but the girl Avho is clever Avith her finger, can run up in an hour or so for about a shilling or one and threepence. As pretty addition to .this apron is large ends that Avill tie into a Idoav at the. back of the waist. These ends are made of the same material, but AA'hen employed a rather longer piece of the muslin is necessary.

ROSELLE.