PARIS FASHIONS FOR MARCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1419, 4 June 1868, Page 3

PARIS FASHIONS FOR MARCH.

The first of the month was the first day of the Paris Spring Meeting at La Marche—a gathering which furnished the Parisian belles with the opportunity for the display of a fair number of novel toilets. Judging from tho costumes which attracted most attention, velvets appear to be worn as much as ever, for the weather, though on the whole genial for the time of year, is not sufficiently settled to admit of winter costumes being thrown entirely on one side. Not only are violets, mauves, Bismarck and Havannah browns still very common, but deep crimson aud black velvets are latterly in vogue. Bluo and green velvets, though less frequently met with, Lave been recently introduced with trimmings of white fur. At La Marche velvets and satins predominated. One toilet was entirely of black velvet trimmed with guipure : the bonnet, of the same material, was trimmed with black lace and had some rich gold ornaments inside. Another robe was a deux jupes, the under jupe being a black satin and the upper one, which was of grey satin, open entirely up the sides, being cut with a swallow-tail shape behind and having a remarkably narrow tablier in front. Over this robe was worn a short pardessus of black satin. The bonnet was of grey velvet trimmed with black lace. There are no novelties in the way of bonnets. Floss silk fringe is becoming rather common as a trimming in lieu of lace, and as a substitute for the lace strings that have been so prevalent latterly ; but there is no other change of consequence. The style of paletot now worn is one which fits closo to the waist, and has a broad sash tied behind in a large bow, the long ends of which fall down the back of the robo. The Marie Antoinette fichu is more largely worn than ever. The extremely low bodices and very short sleeves which have latterly been the distinguishing features of evening toilets are now pronounced to be botli unbecoming and dangerous to health. To obviate these objections high corsages and long open sleeves of tulle are being introduced; and at the same time robes have become more decolletee than ever. Gloves of the brightest possible Bismarck shade—known over here as " Bismarck ardent" —are the mode at the present moment. The " Collier Indienne" composed of innumerable rows of small beads, or gold ornaments, or an equal number of strands of ornamental gold thread, which fall low down over the breast and are fastened at the back of the neck with a rich clasp, is becoming largely worn and promises to be as much the rage as the ehaine Benoiton was rather more than : twelve months ago.