FASHION NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LXI, Issue 30, 3 August 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

FASHION NOTES.

The very latest thing in materials (says a correspondent in a Home paper) is caracul. It is not unlike plush with its surface crushed, and is marked by similar lights and shades. It is used for dresses and wraps alike, and goes a long way to replace the- use of fur in every garment. In English fashions one of the particular features is the dross of fur, but as this is only for the luxurious, they who wish to have the comfort while avoiding the expense of the fur, substitute this with the much more attainable caracul. Whether the skirt be made of tho fur or caracul or not, it is a very popular fancy to have the bodice of this, and in such instance the bodice takes the form of a short Eton jacket, probably double-breasted and short, and having sleeves to match bodice or skirt, as may be desired, though certainly the latter idea obtains. Astrakan is used also for the same purpose. The bodices when required to look especially well may be turned back into revers, faced with white cloth and embroidered with blaok and tinsel, or brown and tinsel, as the colour must depend, and braid. The caracul is handsome for outdoor wraps and capes edged with Persian lamb at collar and border or some long-haired fur. Another material which is sure to gain admiration is moir£ velvet, and a third, which is a cloth for outdoor wear, has a smooth ground covered by a labyrinth of threads like a spider web. Any of these materials, as well as seals and other furs, . are to be used in combination A handsome brocaded silk cape has a shouldor cape and collar of caracul. A fairly plain circular cape of moire velvet haa a sailor collar • shaped cape, ending with rever ends in front, finishing it. For young people, cloth takes the place of the richer textiles, and again plush is used on - this. Velveteen costumes are among the most stylish, and as the pouch bodice has become so fashionable, favouritely they are made in this style, fastening at the side, perhaps, having a pointed trimming of embroidery let in at the neck in front, and fur edgings. A pretty fashion for a cloth costume, say in brown, has a short bolero coat, turned back into a very deep round collar, faced with green and edged with fur ; worn over a green bodice, the back is split up from the waist for some inohes and shows this. Around the waist is worn a rich' watered silk terra-cbtta sash, and the skirt of brown cloth reveals a centre-back section of green, bordered on each side with fur, which is carried around the foot, and again around a short pointed opening of the skirt in front, this also showing a green facing beneath. All manner of jacket fronts are worn for the Bake of the pretty under fronts and ornaments they admit of. Embroidered collars on coats, and bodices edged with fur, are effective. Many short bodices are plain at back and sides, where the material is cut away in front, and a fulness of ornamental fabric inserted, a trimming of fur or passementrie finishing the seam. Tailor-made costumes invariably are made with long bodices, doublebreasted, and opening at the neck to display the addition of a starched collarette and cravatte. Sleeves, if anything, continue to ■grow in size, but the fulness is made to droop much more in puff form around the elbow. Hats of every grade of size are worn, but the smaller kind generally take the form of the toque, which is trimmed in the centre front with a large bow fastened with a paste buckle, or, instead, a bird with wings turning to the back. Luxurious visiting gowns are principally of velvet — combinations of velvet and fur. Violet ia a favourite colour — the reddish violet shades — also dahlia hues, beiges, and the whole range of green shades. The skirt is full, and is edged with a moderate band of fur. A pretty toilette consists of a sprey skirt, an amethyst velvet blouse with straps of cream guipure, a furthroatlet with a bunoh of real flowers, and a largo hat of black felt with blaok feathers. A moss-green habit-cloth dress with tan vest, a large collar, and cascade lapels of dull black silk, finishing at the waist with a rosette, was most distinguished in its simplicity ; a little cloak, edged with skunk, matched the costume, being of similar cloth, and having a deep collar of black silk ; the lining of crimson and green shot material contrasted well with the soft tones of fur and cloth.