Men’s Dress.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 993, 13 March 1891, Page 5

Men’s Dress.

Tho philanthropic society of tailors in Paris has issued a circular declaring that it is absolutely necessary to create new styles in men’s dress. Last year the Faubourg St Germain issued a decree that thereafter all seigneurs, illustrious by their birth, should abandon the simple black evening coat and adopt the habit do eouleur. A ball was givon by one of the leaders of fashion, and almost every man -wore a coloured coat. Some wore pale mauve, with pearl-grev revers; some terra-cotta, some salmon, and some sky-blue. The Due de Mouchy was in blue, with gold buttons ; the Prince de Polignac in fraiso 6crais6e ; tho Prince do Sagan iu snuff-colour; and the Baron do Villande with a magnificient oldgold coat. Each costume was completed by knee-breeohes, silk hose and low shoes with diamond buckles. Tho soiree was charming, but the coloured coat was not victorious. The black evening coat still prevails, in spite of the tailors’ fashion plates Twenty years ago a cry of revolt was heard in all France, a conspiracy was formed, and all whose word was considered law in the fashionable world enrolled themselves as members. The Faubourg and the Tuileries promised co-operation, and journalists announced to the world the condemnation of the black coat. The choice of colour was left to the taste of each conspirator, but only 12 or 15 men had the courage to appear at fetes in any colour but black. After several weeks, these found their numbers sadly diminished, and the following season all resumed tho traditional black coat. Since then the jeunesse dor<se has tried pink coats and brown coats, and it was thought a few years ago, when the young Due de Morny was married, that he had sufficient influence to introduce the blue coat for ceremonious occasions, but his fashion, instead of being followed, was ridiculed.