LATEST FASHIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4123, 30 January 1875, Page 5 (Supplement)

LATEST FASHIONS.

The thick materials and dark colours so much in vogue present a most comfortable appearance, and are made with a simplicity of style that makes them look very distingue. The draps melanges, armures, diagonales, limousines, velours, and anglais are made in a great variety of rich sombre tints; bronze, pain brule. oreille d'ours, aud souie very soft rich shades of grey are among the favourites. For some dressy out-of-door toilettes, composed of velvet, faille, poult de soie, sicilienue, cachemere, satin, and moire, the full rich tints of claret, violets prune de Monsieur, and a rich ei'. eralil grtcu —the latter in velvet only—will oe much worn. Aftcrnc i n reception and evening dresses of all kuidfj will bring back to us some of the brilliant tints j that have lately been neglected for the effaces colours, without, however, depriving the latter of their fashion. The length and fulness of skirts depends entirely on tho purpose for which tlicy are intended; tho more ceremonious the occasion the ionger aud fuller the train, and vice ivi-m. Tho moruing-dresses made of the thick woollen fabrics mentioned are so general as to be almost uniform. They are very quiet and simple in cut and trimming, the latter consisting generally of several rows of plain stitching, crossway bands, or coarse braid. The most fashionable are decidedly thoso triuimed with velours anglais, .he same colour, or a shade or two darKer. The capote is a tight-fitting, long casaque, without any drapery or fulness, the bodice and skirt cut vi one, there being a seam down the cent 'of "he back and four side-pieces ; it is butt, jed down the font, or left partly op .a, single or double-broasted, according to tho taste of the wearer. The cuffs, coUr.r, pockets, aud liuttous are of velvet or velveteen. There is an immense number of winter mantles introduced, aud iu such diversity of Btyle and shape that every one of our readers must find something to pleaa" her. Of the tight-fitting and dressy mantles, " the Marecliale" casaque, with four Ion" pans opened to the waist, and the " Atlialic ' polonaise, are those selected by our grandcn eleyiintex. The " Atlialie" is a tight-fitting confection, short in front, forming two long square side-breadths, and a very full plaited basque falling over the touruure. Both these garments are excessively elegant, and very becoming to the figure. Tho " Marquise" paletot is half-fitting aud long; it defines tho figure sufficiently to be graceful, and is open up eacli side, forming a largo scallop back and front. The sleeve is a large " dolman" shape, tho arm coming out through an opening half-way up. The " Scarborough" is tight-iitting at back and loose iu front, with large open sleeves. Velvet trimmed with fur or feathers, lace, and passementerie, is the material par excellence for grand toilette confections. For walking-dress mautles some charming cloths aud molletous have been introduced, trimmed with fur, velvet, or braid. Matelasse will also be much in favour for mantles. I This material is so ornamental iu itself, and forms such rich folds, tliat it will be moat suitable for tight-fitting garments, and re- , quire very little trimming. The novel way | of setting skirts on to the band, with the triple box plaits at the back, necessitates great attention being paid to the set of tho petticoat worn next it. The whole style I rmd set of a toilette may be thrown out of order by a badly hanging underskirt. Tho fashion of wearing a very long train skirt looped up at one side over another skirt shares the vogue with the mantcau de cour, the front breadth being cut short so as to shew the sous-jupe. The latter mode is considered the most full dress. Flowers and lace will be very much worn as ornaments to evening dress of all kinds, and never wero floral ornaments carried to greater perfection. The low bodices are all laced behind, whether made with points of basques. The neck is gracefully rounded, cut square on tho shoulders, or cut slightly pointed both back and front.