LADIES COLUMN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8020, 6 August 1887, Page 4 (Supplement)

LADIES COLUMN.

FASHIONS IN ENGLAND. The Soxskt Bonnkt. —This, together with tho "sunset" paiafol, is said to well become a pretty woman. Tho latest shape was the merest trill" in size, consisting of three or four rows of finely drawn grey-blue tulle. Tho crown was absent on leave, time permitting tho whole of the hair to bo seen, surrounded by a thick garland of email piuk velvet blossoms. Tho front of the bonnet was encircled by a ruche of rose-pink crepo mixed with grey ; the edges of both being pinked out, which gave tho whole an admirable lightness of effect, and made tho moat becoming frame possible for a charming face.. Tho "sunset" parasol to match, which was large and of an almost Hat shape, was mado of grey-blue tulle drawn like the littlo bonnet, and edged with a ruche of a similar description to that described, though larger. A large drapery of "old pink" ribbon traversed two panels of the sunshade ; and where one of them ended, a bunch of flowers like those on tho bonnet was fastened. Another parasol is called the "carnation." It in made of tiny pinked-out frills of silk ia the colours of the flower, yellow, pink, and rod, and is trimmed with bunches of carnations. It is a most becoming littlo affair, thi3 sunshade. A Dainty BonnKT.—A tiny littlo bonnet, stringless, and mado of tho most delicately ]>»lo pink crepe, was trimmed with two dark red roses, which looked as if just freshly plucked from the tree, with their green leaves as fresh as themsalvee, straying over tho palo pink of tho bonnet. Straw llats. — Some of the new large hats, in coarse straw, aro very picturesque. Ono had a very wide brim, lined with folds of terra-cotta coloured tulle. A- drapery of ivory-tinted surah was folded round the crown ; and the rest of tho trimming consisted of a banch of green barley. Another was in openwork fancy straw ; the crown being in Tuscan colour, the brim brown. It was trimmed with very wide moire ribbon, reseda shot with goldi Thin was tied in n large knot which can bo drown forward, and would highly embellish a "swan-like" neck, which is no longer considered a beautiful thing, but is nowadays thought, to be suggestive of the i>iratle. On one end of the ribbon was fastened a group of roses, with leaves, thorns, and steins complete ; another croop noetliug among the folds of ribbon on tho hat. Dainty O.stcmp.s. — A perfectly lovely dress waa made with tho whole front in stnpa of embroidery, in which pale coral pink was the predominating colour, alternating with strips of transparent gold lace, through which tho pink silk skirt showed plainly, The back was watercress-green moire. A lovely dinner dress was in crepo dc chine, with panels of pearler] net, and a small drapery of the crepe at the top of each aide, tasselled with pearls. The train was of bronze velvet, surrounded by folds of the crepe de chine, which softened it moat wonderfully. A foulard dress, very novel, was green with email gold-coloured sunflowers. The front was arranged in innumearble pleats, pressed with an iron to such flatness that it all looks 11k , .) a plain front until tho wearer moves, when the folds fall open, and givo perfect freedom to the limbs. These folds nro all from the waist. At each side is a breadth of ivory-coloured foulard with fringed-out ends. The bodice is of tho same, and is made full. NkwSonsiiadks. —Although tho continued gloomy weather in England haa prevented the use of sunshades, several novelties have mado their appearance. A moat lovely one was covered with folds of embroidered lisac, the design being forget-me-nots in blue and pink on a ground of the deepest cream colour, and lined with silk to match. The liseo was all buttonholed round the edges, which gavo it a soft aud pretty finish. A doublo-equaro sunshade of printed crepo in the sweetest tones of pink and blue was trimmed with cream-coloured laco and blue ribbons. Some very new ones wero made of white figured net, with lines of the narrowest picot ribbon in nny colour, beginning at tho ferulo and running down to tho edge, parting a3 they ran. Perhaps the prettiest wero those mado of white net and lined with the same, caught in folds, and tied up with tiny baby bo we of tho narrowest whltu ribbon. These infantile bows are quito a feature of the new sunshades, , WEDDING FAVOURS. At many weddings, where a danco generally concludes the more important business of tne day, it is a pretty fashion to distribnte special favours among tho bridesmaids. These may either be handed round at the conclusion of the breakfast,, or distributed simultaneously with the cutting of the cake. The " favours" consist of largo white satin rosettes, in number corresponding with that of the bridesmaids. Within the bows cf the rosettes are concealed little packages, tho contents of which arc supposed to foretell the fortune of the recipient; and as, of course, the favours are all identical in appearanco, groat amusement is caused by the " luck " of the thing. A wedding ring foretells the first who will be married. A crooked sixpence, riches. A silver thimble, tho old maid (alternative, the thrifty housewife). A needle and thread, tho pood manager. A sugar-plum, the sweets of life. A little bi'ok, a studious husband. A scrap of Bcarlet cloth, a military one. A laurel-leaf, success in all undertakings. .Should more than these eight fortunes bo required, it ie easy to multiply them, or the wedding ring and crooked sixpence may bo given m duplicate. At one wedding the centre of each of the rosettes bore a small pincushion in the form of a heart made of rose-colour satin, upon which tho monogram of the bride and groom was illuminated in white and gold. Small loops of ribbon were attached to tho hearts ; and it was noticeablo that, at the danco iu the evening, most of them were being worn os badges by favoured groomsmen. At this same wedding, small white sills: banners, with tho arum of the families of the contracting parties emblazoned upon them, formed part of the decoration of the wedding cake. A suggestion aB how to make these banners may not bo here out of place. Procure some pieces of brass wire, about 10in long, at one end of which a loop must be formed by turning round a small piece of tho wire. A similar number of shorter pieces measuring 4Jin must alao be procured, and all must he neatly covered by twisting round them eomo narrow white satin ribbon. Tho mounts being ready, cut the banners themselves out of white satin or silk ; these should, when the edges are turned in, be of the same length as tho short pieoes of wire, proportionately long, and curved, of course, at the lower end. Paint the banners either with tho emblazoned arms, the monogram, or motto of the bride and groom ; or, if for a military wedding, with the regimental arms, &c. Line the silk neatly with white earoa* net, and trim with white silk friDge, about half an inch in width; make a hem at the top, slip through this the short wire, and suspend the banner to the long polo by means of very fine white silk cords, loops of which should be added to either end of tho short wire as well as to the wiro loop upon the long one, which forms the support of the banging cords. A TRAINING SCHOOL FOR WIVES. Ono of the latest phases of the progress the fair sex are making comes in the shape of an academy for instructing spinsters in the duties of housewives. Tho St. Jamoa' Gazette rocently quoted a list of tho subjects it i 3 proposed to teach, and jobody will feol inclined to disagree with a system of education which includes cookery, dressmaking, and book-keeping. Some of the other subjects to be taught, such as elocution and debating, may eeem superfluous accomplish* ments ; for most women are born elocutionists, and their powers of debate have seldom been questioned—at least by married men. Eligible bachelors who aro seeking for helpmates will doubtless be glad to know th»t a wife can be turned out at the new school theoretically perfect for the comparatively modest sum of jl'2s. It will be interesting to know how many young ladies will take advantage of the opportunity now offered them.