ITEMS FOR LADIES.

Evening Post, Volume XL, Issue 11, 12 July 1890, Page 1 (Supplement)

ITEMS FOR LADIES.

♦ No woman who really dresses well omits to include in her wardrobe a loose, open jacket, for in or outdoor wear, which is completed by shirts or waistcoats movable at pleasure, and the more completely these are cut on the lines of a man's coat the better, as far as the fashion is concerned. Ivory and mother-of-pearl frames for fans are distinguished by very beautiful carving, whilst the delicate lace covers, or it may be those of Bilk or lace, have generally either a monogram or floral design. Painted gauze and silk fans have not unfrequently the staves singly or two together over the painting. Fans intended for youthtful ladies are as bright and fresh looking as their young owners. Linen collars and cuffs are once more generally worn, and nothing is neater about the throat or more thoroughly English in style, cleanly, trim, and becoming. The all-round, straight shape is the best Morning bodices are made with high rounded collar bands, after the order of the Medici collar ; but they have an inclination to stand away at the back rather unbecomingly, and the linen collar fills the vacuum. Hats and bonuets composed of a piece of the dress will soon be things of the past, and it is quite possible now to choose a bonnet to go with half-a-dozen dresses, always supposing that you do not sejeot any very decided tone in the headgear. Greens and greys are still worn, but heliotrope shades are the newest, and clover is the favourite tint in the mauve or lilac shades to which the term heliotrope has of late been applied. Our new materials (says Le Journal dcs Modes) are as pretty as they are varied in design and colour. Silk stripes, both small and large, play a very great part in all materials, whatever they may be. Chine stripes, shot stripes, &c, run along dark green, blue, brick, pink, red, terra cotta, coloured woollen grounds. Old-fashioned pink and rose wood will be very much employed, but in so varied a scale and with so many different shades, that it seems incredible that the darkest and lightest shade of each colour could bear the same name. Without a doubt there is still a great incline towards woollens, which in this variable climate can be worn nearly all the year round without inconvenience. By woollens it is not meant the heavy cheviots and suitings which have served during the winter season, but the daintiest of woollens, some of which are as fine and soft as cashmore, but nevertheless are pure wool, and, therefore, wear admirably, and always look ladylike and seasonable. In quite light grey or fawn the summer woollens make most stylish little . dresses, and often a smart jacket is arranged of the same material, do show facings of corded silk or moire. The features in fashions repeat themselves at intervals of many years but they never come back to us quite the same. Just now the leg-of-mutton aloeve of 50 years ago, is one of the most marked revivals, but (says tho Queen) it is entirely different in many important points from those worn by our ancestors. Dressmakers are beginning to pad the leg-of-mutton sleeves, and sometimes they are cut long, and gathered horizontally, or a band of extra material is laid across the top and gathered in the centre, to imitate such treatment. But we have not attained as yet to anything like the size of the old sleeve. On one point the past and present cuts are alike — they are both on fhe cross, and have only one seam — though there are exceptions, and some sleeves with the same appearance as the gigot, are cut with an upper and uuder piece.