FASHIONS FROM PARIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13967, 28 September 1918, Page 4 (Supplement)

FASHIONS FROM PARIS.

The new fashions are well to the fore, and" they show more colour than usual, writes our Paris correspondent. Hats are decidedly gay in appearance as we see them about the streets .bright rose straws, blue in many shades, and flower toques with a swathing of tulle. Mohair shapes in grey, with a brim of colour, look rather well, and others' aro the same in colour all through, with just ono note of brilliance in the trimming. Soft, rounded shapes, half-toque, half-hat, are worn a great deal; well set down on the head, but always to 6how some hair. Tho bigger hat still has the rolled-back brim, but the tall crown, so heavy and so often unbecoming, has quite gone. Coarse straws are worn, dark blue with a blue-and-white band of ribbon, black and an all-whito or a grey ribbon, and some small hats are mado in coarse straw allied to satin or silk. Veils are always in faihion, and since tho war the Parisienne seems to have a greater liking for tho flowing veil than usual; the softening lines of it appeal to her, and now that she can use it to form a scarf as well she can call it practical too. The New Silhouette. The new silhouette is very slim and young. A rather short skirt, with no unnecessary fullness; a slim, straight coat, showing a pretty blouse, and one of the hats described above. Dresses are slim and straight, too, of course, and as the lighter materials appoar it looks as if they, like the hate, will show more colour than they did last season. Blues, browns, greys, a good many stripes and checks allied to plain materials, and a general use of rather gay embroideries, go to make up a dress picture that is not at all depressing. Undoubtedly it is becoming almost a duty, for the women who can, to wear a little colour, so that the aspect of the world may not be too sad. One says carefully a little colour, as' colour overdone is worse than none at all. In dress, as in furnishing, artists are finding out that it is more satisfactory to make the background of a dress or a room in some sober, neutral tint, and rely on one or two strong notes of colour for a brilliant effect. Take one of the new shades in grey for a coat and skirt; line it with blue, and let the collar that turns back be in blue, put on blue and grey buttons in one of the new composite _ patterns, and let a . hint of the blue lining show just round the edge of the coat. With it a blue crepe georgette blouse made straight and with a basqued front, or, say, one of the smart waistcoats, and have either or both carried out in blue and grey embroidery; then' crown the whole thing with a big straw hat in coarse, shiny straw, or with a mohair toque in grey, trimmed with blue, or blue trimmed with grey, and the effect will be quite gay enough. Grey stockings and black shoes, and very well-cut grey gloves complete the picture. Black and gold are much in favour for dinner dresses, and black taffetas and fine jet embroidery are worn. The tunic, in some form or another, is always in favour, and so is the pinafore, or tablier. The decollete of the season shows a low, oblong opening, with a second inside, that it just a little less low, and above that a filling of gathered net or tulle or linbn. Another decollete is the V which ends at the side, and another is a very short V which can button right up to the chin if the wearer likes. Plain Lingerie. For the moment' lingerie goes lawless, and relies solely upon the beauty of its material or deft touches of hand embroidery. For the moment only, be it understood, the next moment will prob- '. ably see the renewed popularity of lace edging,' insertions, and motifs, dentille adornment of every sort and condition, alternated by elaborate details in the shape of tucks, frills, and pleats. However, who cares, for to-morrow, when today brings "lingerie that is so delightful fn every respect, and so eminently suited to' the present- times. Practical to a de-' gree, daintiness dominates every graceful fold and curve, economical on account of the little adornment and material requisitioned, especially where combined garments are concerned, the women blessed with agile - fingers and a good bump of originality can evolve veritable dreams of " undies, imbuing them with novel distinctive touches all her own, at the expense of little time and but trifling cost.