LONDON FASHION NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13485, 11 May 1907, Page 6 (Supplement)

LONDON FASHION NOTES.

- [FItOJI OUB OWN COBRESFOUDEXT.] J ' . Loxdox, March 28. Real lace is playing an all-important part in the construction of blouses, / the' finer makes of Irish crochet being employed to a vast extent, also the Valenciennes and Alencon nets,; tho ; latter varieties making an excellent foundation for yokes and long cuffs, with detached medallion motifs of some contrasting lace. Blouses of this description are carried out in two or three totally different kinds of lacque,,and many very dainty models are to bo seen in pale tones of ecru or biscuit, with dainty chemisettes and high collar-bands of finely tucked chiffon, or.' silk muslin in tho same tone, while- possibly a touch of colour is introduced at the tliroat, and again on the sleeves, in the shape of a cliou of velours chiffon, in some bright colour, such as one of tho new pinks or deep sapphire or turquoise blue. There are other blouses in Ghantilly laco and in ring-spot net, which are tinted, so that they match exactly the pale pastel colourings of the dresses, in drap souple or crepe de chine, ■ with which they are to be worn. These new /lace blouses really look well in some of the new tints of lavendar and lilac colourings of the moment. .: : Very artistic results too a-,e obtained in the case of blouses for afternoon wear, by arranging them in fine silk net, lin ivory, or cream-tone, plentifully adorned [with .laco insertions, and lined with Pompadour cEine silk, patterned with scattered roses or sprays of mauve' lilac on a white ground softened by the light veiling of silken net and lace the Pompadour designs and colourings have >! a wonderfully pleasing effect, and the idea is quite new. I Now that ribbons of all descriptions are in such tremendous demand for every imaginable purpose, the ribbon trade is reported to bo in a more flourishing condition jthan has been the case for many years | past. Every width and type of ribbon is wanted, from * the bebe width to the socalled sash-width. Ribbon that is stiff 'with; interwoven gold and silver threads imeandering in and out of the floral design is copied 1 from old-fashioned Coventi-y ribbons of 50 years ago, and there " are shot satin ribbons of the softest and finest description, in tender tones , of jonquils, lime green, and \ dove grey; while as for _ the range of. wine tones; softening off .to light pink, their variety seems endless. Kimono braces abound they are so-called because they are made solely of ribbon,' often of a Japanese character; they are intended to be. worn over a blouse of net, fussily decorated with : beruffled and '/ narrow lace frills. These 'braces," to whioh a prettilyshaped waistbelt is usually attached, are being sold in all the best shapes— they constitute one of tho leading novel features of the present time. .. / ! There' are a number of pretty hats for girls, made in the mushroom shape, whose brims. are composed of frill upon : frill of Valenciennes lace of a pale ecru tint, and whose crowns are formed of a solid mass of ; moss; rosebuds, while the- back -of the shape is entirely; covered with a bow of wide soft satin ribbon in ■ the palest ; tone of blue,: the ends falling to the waist at the'back. .' -.7 : -7 ~/"'-;'■'" ':-

I This is one of the very newest fancies of fashion,, and , the / illustration given will show what a very smart: style it is. Of white straw as to the brim, curved downward in mushroom, shape, and tilted to i one side by a cluster of pinky white roses, the quaintly .-crown is formed of golden brown tulle ; and spotted net united-to the brim by a wreath of pink roses gathering into a cluster at the left side, from which floats ; a .graceful bunch .-/ of . brown coq I plumes. The , same idea might .. be . translated inva'idozen' different,/ways, and so I long as the ' design was ' adhered to : the effect would be equally pretty in' any; preferred colour. Pink' and brown, however, look smartest, and' pink. and brown are de- | cidedly the two favourite tints of \ the sea-1 son. Attention is drawn to that attractive little novelty in the way : of a coq feather ruffle worn with the hat. The ruffle is brown, with just a* hint of pink showing here and there, and it :is finished off at either end with an old-world brown silk tassel attached to a short length of brown silk' cord. '-'. ,; -/.' "'.7 -

Our ; sketch shows . one of the artistic slashed' blouses of the moment. It is composed • of folds of pale pink satin over a slip of'chiffon to match, and the sleeves are frilleu with kilted chiffon. ' The foundation slip might equally , well be of net or fine lace and the folds of brocade. Then, again, blouses< of a somewhat similar character are all of plain satin or brocade, arranged in small box-pleats, j The effect in either case is very good. / The square neck represents a favourite vogue, square effects receiving a good deal of encouragement, whether relating to the decolletage of a bodice,. to -yoke-collars or coats. . A charming ai-rangement for an evening bodice is a square of net, satin, or velvet encrusted with ! sequins and taking the place of a' round berthe.. - '-» . •• . I ; ; The most suitable dresses for children to j wear when, playing on the sands are hoi-! fond dresses, as-they- are easily got up. /