DRESS AT THE RACES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9880, 10 November 1897, Page 6

DRESS AT THE RACES.

The grand stand presented an unusually gay appearance on Cup Day, for after the arrival of the second train there was scarcely a seat to be obtained; indeed, in some parts of it, there was scarcely any standing room. Consequently, any attempt to describe the toilettes which were worn must necessarily be to a certain extent incomplete, and many must be omitted which really deserved to be specially mentioned. This season the drasses are particularly tasteful and pretty, and appear to bear the charm of simplicity. For instance, what can be simpler than white and cream muslin? But to the initiated these diaphanous materials, as at present worn, are in reality most extravagant, as they necessitate complete foundations of either white, cream or bright coloured silks, while miles of lace and ribbon are absorbed in trimming these frocks of fine muslin or fine silk grenadine. Very long silk sashe3 too were in most instances worn with them. Lady Ranfurly appeared in a simple and becoming toilette of black with silver embroideries on the bodice and large hat with black plumes. Mra Arthur E. G. Rhodes—A gown of rich petunia satin with white lace flounce, and lace and chiffon ornamenting the bodice, white silk sash, and large white hat with full plume of ostrich feathers. Miss FraserTytler—A white satin, veiled with chiffon with richly embroidered front panel; white hat with sprays of ivy and flowers. Mrs Ranald Macdonald —A striking toilet of gray with green silk stripe, vest of rich shades of pink ; largo hat trimmed with feathers and pink silk chiffons, exactly matching the dress. Mra Gr. Gould—A charming toilette of rose pink silk, covered with white muslin and fine lace ; hat of white and pink. « The Misses Cowlishaw wore pale green figured silks, with frills of white chiffon, and white hats. Miss N. Reeves—White muslin, with ecru lace bolero ; white hat with pink flowers. Mrs E. G. J. Stevens wore black, with black and white broche bodice; bonnet with red velvet bows. Mrs Moore—A dainty costume of grass lawn striped with white, white satin trimmings and small bonnet. Mra Burns -A biscuit-colinred costume, with bonnet of embroidered lisse to match, trimmed with foliage and j,ink roses. Mrs G. G. Stead—A skirt of black and white with horizontal stripes, bodice of grass lawn and pale blue silk ; pale blue bonnet to match. Mrs Elworthy—A gown of broche silk trimmed with petunia velvet, black lace mantle over coloured silk lining; bonnet of black and petunia. Miss Elworthy—A pretty frock of pink muslin with flounces of yellow lace; hat of pink and yellow. Mrs Ogle wore a charming costume of blue and white, with floral toque (forget-me-nots) to match. ' Mre Wardrop—Green and white of a fine stripe trimmed with lace ; white hat with violets. Miss Tolhurst (Wellington)— White ailk, with white and heliotrope hat. Jlis3 Palmer—A dainty white muslin lace-trimmed frock ; white hat and lilies of the valley. Miss Ovenden—A white muslin and lace dress ; white hat, with large bowot petunia ribbon. Mrs J. T. Peacock—A black silk dress, with yoke and trimmings of pale blue silk and jet; black toque, with lace wings, roses and foliage. Mrs Boyle—White silk, with narrow flounces edged with black lace, cape of pale green silk and black chiffon; bonnet to initch. Mrs G. Rhodes—Pale fawn and blue silk, large check pattern, trimmed with lace and chiffon ; hat to match. Mrs Pitman—A black and white striped silk ; toque of bright blue and green. Mrs Davidson—A blue and green foulard ; vat of cUiffoua to umtck. j

Mrs Cameron—Brown crepon with pink silk and white lace epaulets : floral bonnet. Mrs Alan Scott—A skirt of black satin and jacket bodice of bright green; hat to match.

Mrs C. Clark —A plum coloured silk with black bonnet.

Mrs I. Gibbs—A blue cloth coat and skirt costume richly braided; sequin bonnet with shaded blue and purple flowers. Mrs E. Jennings—A grey costume with white satin vest; black bolero hat with block and rose chiffon trimming. Miss Garriek—A grass l»wn dress, the bodice of silk and cross bar lawn ; large hat. Mrs Harley—Black brocade, with black and violet bonnet. Miss Harley—Grass lawn with pale pink; bat to match. Miss H. Denniston—White muslin lined with green ; white and green hat. Mr 3 Scott—Black and white costume, hat to match. Miss Bowen—White muslin, with butter-cup-yellow silk ribbons; white and yellow hat. Mrs Ronalds—A black toilette. Mrs Mills—Black and white. Mrs H. O. D. Meares—A toilette of dark and light blue ; large hat of blue and green. Miss Davy—A brown skirt and heliotrope silk muslin bodice; browa hat with heliotrope flowers. Mrs Gordon—Black brocade, with small bonnet. Mr 3 Devenish Meares—A toilette of black and white satin. Mies Mearee—Lace trimmed muslin over yellow. Miss N. Meares—Black and white striped eilk, the frills edged with lace. Mise M. Meares—White muslin over green; hat to match. Miss Graham—White silk; large white hat. Miss Todhunter—A toilette of grey, trimmed with white. Miss L. Blakiston wore grey trimmed with white ; hat to match. Mrs G. Merton—Black, with chiffon vest and sleeves over white silk ; white hat, with pale blue and violets. Mrs Nelson—A tailor made tweed and Newmarket vest. Mrs Cathcart Wason—Coat and skirt costume of blue covert-coating, trimmed with white, pink silk vest, and lloral toque. Mrs P. Campbell—White satin, veiled with-black silk grenadine, trimmed with lace ; hat to match. Mrs McDougall—A pink heliotrope silk, covered with embroidered lawn; hat to match. Mrs Thomas—Green coat and ekirt braided ; bonnet with pink flowers. • Miss Thomas—A grey costume trimmed with pink ; hat to match. Mis 3 Overton—Black crepon, with green silk pleated vest. Mrs G. Jameson—Black grenadine over peach silk; bonnet to match. Mrs Staveley—Black silk, witfl white satin vest; black and white hat. Miss Bullock wore grey and black ; black hat trimmed with heliotrope. Miss Wilder—White silk ; white hat with scarlet geraniums. Miss Ainger—Blue coat and skirt, faced with white. The Misses Ross—White muslins and white hats. Miss Turnbull—Black grenadine over yellow, with lace appliques; black hat and red ribbons. Mrs R. Wilkin—Black corded silk ; black and heliotrope bonnet. Miss Gray—A toilette of black and yellow. Miss E. Gray—Black crepon; large white hat with scarlet geraniums. Mrs Tonks—Grey coat aud skirt. |Fes A. Way—White muslin; white hat an!Kream roses. Mrs B. Fisher—Black silk grenadine over coloured silk ; large hat to match. Miss Louisson—Blue silk, trimmed with black lace; hat to match. Mrs Green—Black, over peach. Mrs McKellar—A grey costume. Mrs Hill—Black, over green. Mrs H. Gordon—A black toilette, with white vest.

Mrs Broham—Green silk and email bonnet.

Mrs Pyne—Beige grass lawn over crimson silk ; black bat with feathers, and crimson scarf.

The fashionable hats and bonnets are this season a colour study.in themselves, and quite baffle description, so wonderful'y are the colours blended. Nothing seems too gay or bright, but the plain or kilted chiffons tone and soften them wonderfnlly, and they look better on than by description. A great many brightly shot straws were worn yesterday, and some of these displayed wonderful bows of the sheaf form, ends and loops emerging from knots formed into a sort of tube. White ostrich feathers are in great favour, nothing being prettier or more becoming, The sunshades, too, are very elaborately lined and trimmed with soft silks and chiffons. The long gold and pearl neck chains were in evidence; as well as signs of the Jubilee year in models of quaint Victorian bonnets. Every fashionable fad of every description was represented.

It was surely a happy idea, that of driving the Governor and Lady Ranfurly on to the course itself, opposite the grand stand. • It gave them an opportunity of seeing the stand at its best, and the occupants of seeing them.