LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 178, 30 July 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

(From Our London Correspondent.) OOKING at most of the new hats and bonnets for the winter season of IS9S we find the same brilliantlycoloured trimmings as those employed during the past summer, and similar to the models worn in the hotter months, the bright tints will be managed so artistically and with so much

nicety that there will be nothing to say ip disparagement of the vivid splashes of colouring. _ While many of the winter novelties in millinery illustrate a single colour caviled out in

shaded tones, other models show a more varied treatment. For instance, at a recent charity bazaar, where fashion and smart dressing were well to the fore, one of the richest"purchasers of various nicknacks and children's toys appeared on the scene in one of the new satin-straw and chenille-plaited toques ; tlie colour of this fancy plaiting being the latest cornflower blue. The accompanying velvet loops and quills were shaded oil to almost sky blue. Not far from this grande dame strolled another very elegant woman who wore an example of several hues beautifully blended by the hand of a skilful milliner. The accompanying sketch portrays more clearly than words the chapeau alluded to. Here we have one of the latest round Parisian shapes with a fairly low crown. The hat is modelled in a lovely soft shade of ' dead leaf brown felt, almosfa deep tan nuance; while the under portion of the brim is lined with velvet just a suspicion darker than the blocked cloth. Round the crown are carried out successive loops of broad torquoise-blue velvet ribbon, with here and there a paste medallion sparkling in the folds. The tuft of feathers pinned at the side is of cogues' plumes in their natural black, shot with green. On many of the new hats we find a large amount of torquoise-blue, this shade harmonizing very well with the latest prime colour.

Now that the dancing season is farrlyon the subject of evening dress acquires immediate interest. .. Blacjc skkts_are.still, worn in the ballroom-"but instead of,satin

being employed for the. jupe, moire velvet is more generally adopted. I have inspected an extremely smart skirt of the kind, and with it will be worn at a forthcoming ' Cinderella' the charming decollete blouse treated in the sketch.. Here we have a most attractive novelty in buttercup yellow gathered crepe-de-chine. This deliciously soft material forms the blousette portion of the little bodice, a-tiny frill of the crepe finishing off the bust-line. Made in one with this gracefully cut blouse is a short bolero of the new silk poplin, just now so fashionable both in England and across the Channel. This very abbreviated and quaintly fashioned addition is edged all round with steel beads and seed pearls, forming a neat design, a few more pearls being sprinkled here and there to enhance the whole effect of the silk. The epaulets match the small bolero; while the fu^. puffs underneath are arranged with the crepe-de-chine. Kibbon, matching the poplin, draws in the fullness at the waist.

This blouse could be utilised quite as well for smart theatre as ball-room wear, as there is nothing too elaborate in either the material or design. I learn, by the way, on good' authority, that the so-called dogcollars to which the Princess of Wales has

always adhered—even since they went out of fashion—have been revived with wonderful up-to-date improvements. -Such chains in silver are now no longer sufficiently handsome for the consideration of the woman of fashion; but, oftener than not, they are designed with five rows of pearls, linked together by lengthway double bars of diamonds. Of course the collars are also made in plain gold, or cheaper stones to suit the requirements of those who cannot afford the luxury of pearls and diamonds. ... In winter with its long evenings, spent by lamplight, few articles of iudoor attire are more acceptable to the thoroughly womanly woman than a cosy softly hangng tea-gown. 1 know that in some of the very smart country houses, where one j party of visitors succeeds another incessantly, light silk or muslin frocks are the things to'don at the five o'clock tea-table. However, lor home-birds who prefer the comforts of their own houses to the very questionable delights of visiting, there can be nothing to beat the ease and grace of-a well-modelled tea-gown. The especial one I have in my mind is shown in the illustration. The confection is desigriedMn dove-coloured nun's veiling and has a fichu of the same soft material edged with cream lace. In front, the gown is draped very artistically. The waistband, bow, and straps roiind the elbow sleeves are carried out in ribbon velvet of the loveliest'tone of . ' mandarine' yellow, some more lace softening the edge of the sleeves. ROSELLE. i-;'