London Fashions.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 996, 3 April 1891, Page 5

London Fashions.

(FROM OCTR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) London, February 4. I think I have told yon that braiding is extremely fashionable this season. It is used in all Borts of ways, and is made in diverse designs. Manufacturers are producing braided trimmings by the yard, or by the piece, ready to sew on at once for sleeve, waist, armlet or collar. The prettiest and most expensive are worked on the dress itself, which is the case in the sketch I send you.

This is a very fashionable style, and very becoming, especially to a good figure. The bodice must be made an excellent fit, and fastening at the back ; the collar is then braided, and three long Vandykes of braiding come from the throat and . shoulder seams downwards, as the drawing indicates , the high shouldered sleeves being trimmed in a similar way. The skirt is perfectly plain, being made in one with the bodice, ‘ Princess ’ fashion ; it ia braided round the hem to correspond with bodice, and round the hips is worn a girdle made of the material, stiffened by lining and braided, suspending a sabretache bag to match. The model is of dark red viouna cloth with black braid.

The extreme plainness of the skirts of late has brought (Jb&telaines and Chatelaine bans into favour once more j a pretty artistic fashion allowing of miicSh individual taste and Variety. ThOao who have fortnnately inherited one of the original antique silver ones, rich in embossed design, have a handsome ornament for all time ; but there are less valuable but very good mutations in oxidised and other metals to be pur chased at moderate sums now, which make a picturesque and useful accessory to the costume even if not quite the genuine article; and some of the bags are extremely pretty.

I saw a capital sohool frock for a little o-irl of ton years the other d£tj’} and have made it the subject of my second illustration. The gown of this • oiie little maid from school ’ is made of dark copper coloured soft woolly serge—wiry serges are ever to be avoided in my estimation, they are ugly in appearance, altogether decline to fall m nice folds, and wear shiny, which is worse than anv other wear—and made in one piece from the throat downwards. A species of yoke is formed over the ehouldorß by the serge being folded in pleats (which are stitched down flat with feather Btitohing) to the depth of tee chest, from where it falls loosely and freelv The collar, tnrned up cuffs to the full sleeves, and border of skirt are made of velvet matohing the serge, and_ a and chio little cap is worn with it with velvet stand-up brim, and full crown overhanging left side of serge. If preferred, a sash of’serge can be folded round the waist, or velvet Swiss belt, instead ot allowing it to hang freely.

This very pretty costume was worn at an early winter wedding by some stylish-looking bridesmaids. It is made of the new cream cloth, the trimming is of mixed blue and cream, with a tiny vieux rose stripe in ohenille running through it. As you see, it deeply borders the skirt, forms a zouave bodice, and extends up to the elbows, where rather loose -cream cloth sleeves meet it. The hat 1s of cream felt, exactly matching the dress, with pompons and vienx roses. The bouquet should be composed of some flowers exactly matching in tone. The bridesmaids from whom my Bketch iB taken, had some exquisite rose heath and cream dahlias. I do not know what flowers are in season for you. These were from a conservatory. The waist was defined by a narrow strip of trimming fastened by a pearl clasp. Roselle.