ITEMS FOR LADIES.

Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 58, 5 September 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

ITEMS FOR LADIES.

Sashes of moire ribbon are worn with dresses of all descriptions, but the ribbon does not look equally well in all colours. It is, however, very pretty in all shades of grey, and whether in this or in any other colour, the ends are frequently drawn in and enclosod in a cup of passementerie, beaded on plain, and tipped with a silk tassel. The most typical novelty ' our modistes have lately introduced is the Mercury chapeau. The brim is of fancy straw, bent down at the sides and open in front, and filled in with pleatings of tulle. A fichu of faille or of printed stamine is draped on the crown ; the wings on each side of the chapeau are imitated by draped and folded pieces of the same material. This model will be worn more than any other by young ladies throughout the summer season. It id stylish in poppy. Colours that would once have been thought impossible to wear together are now produced in such softened tones, and the art of combining them has made such wonderful progress, that a myriad, arrangements ot portions of one toilette with those of another are rendered not only practicable, but elegant and fashionable. The following gardening observations, addressed to ladies, maj be useful : — Make up your beds early in the morning j sew buttons on your husband's shirts j do not rake up any grievances ; protect the young and tender branches of your family ; plant a smile, of good temper in your lace, and carefully root out all angry feelings, and you may expect a good crop of happiness. Never scold servants. Instruct, reproach, admonish as much as may be necessary ; give warning, or, if need be, turn the worthless out of the house i but never descend to scolding or to the use of rude or harsh language, for there is in truth something very undignified in the practice. If people could only see the ridiculous figure they make when in a towering rage the chances are that they would contrive to keep their temper rather more within bounds. We may excuse anger, and even passion perhaps, where the name, fame, or character of friends or relations is assailed, but to fly into a fury about broken plates or overdone mutton is to show a want of mental composure that few would like to have described in its proper light, and called by its proper name. The majority of . useful costumes are composed of light woollen materials. A striped material corresponding with them is used as a trimming. Spots, both large and small, are also noticeable, and figures of all kinds, but stripes predominate. The stripes are in various widths, and are sometimes shaded in contrast with the plain material. Stripes of velvet ard plush are also pretty on the woollen ground, and look particularly well as drhperies and bodice or polonaise over plain silk or shot silk skirts. Taste is the touchstone by which all toilette^ are now tried ; from the head to the feet everything must .be in. harmony, and irreproachable of its kind. The boots have flat heels and are galoshed with kid or patent leather, and buttoned moderately high up the leg with a close series of small buttons. The stocking is in a shade matching the predominating colour in the costume, or else it is in some tint i that blends agreeably with it. The chapeau, in particular, must harmonise with the toilette, in the materials of which' it is made, and in colour. 7he crinolette is veering round. It is an established axiom that history is in no particular so faithfully repeated as in costume, and the old eighteenth century hoop, which brought again to life the old Elizabethan farthingaie, had not long come in before some ladies, who could not think of remaining unnoticed, wore panier-hoops, even as other ladies, similarly eager to be seen and talked about, are beginning to wear " improvers" in the same way. It only needs now that one of the* comic papers should represent such a figure passing a donkey with two baskets slung across it, and so show how like the lady makes herself to that animal in outline, for the historical parallel to be full and complete. The other correspondence between the two is too obvious to need remark. — Warehouseman and Drapers' Journal. Absinthe and pale coral is a Prench combination much in favour at present. Tan-coloured undressed kid gloves are worn by fashionable men as well as ladies Grey and brown cheviots or Angora plaids are the correct stuffs for small boy's everyday suits.