London Fashions.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1036, 8 January 1892, Page 4

London Fashions.

(from our own correspondent.) London, November 13. Most girls like as much variety in hat# and bonnets as possible, though paterfamilias or the better half do not sympathise as keenly on the subject as the dealeis could wish, having an oye rn the expense likely to be incurred by this indulgence ; and, indeed, there is a largo amount of needless extravagance spent on millinery in many families. The wish for constant change, however, may be gratified easily now by those of any taste and l deftness of finger without any undue strain upon the purse strings, such very cheap and pretty shapes being obtainable, which, with a few well-chosen ribbons, fqlds of chiffon, oy spray of flowers, have quite as good an effect as the most elaborately expensive confection to be obtained of Maclaine de Modiste. An instance in point are the very pretty and artistic open work Japanese hats in black straw now beiugsold, of which I give a sketch. These shapes cost very little,

and the trimming, to look best., should be a 3 simple as possible. A group of pale amber ribbon loops, knot of bice with a gold tinsel butterfly, or wreath of tea or blush roses, would look equally well, or folds of salmon pink chiffon twisted loosely found and bunched up higher at back, of these trimmings rpight be obtained |or two or three shillings, and thus for a small sum a stylish and pretty chapeau might be arrived at. The second illustration shows a costume adapted to one of the ladies’- shirt bodices, which are now so fashionable for smart boating and general out door dress w?ar.

ffhese are usually made in cambric or fine linen, but the one in question is of White silk with helitrope spots, and worn under a fine white vicuna cloth coat, with heliotrope velvet revers and cuff's, the skirt being also of white cloth.

I have lately noticed several bcdices made with a short zouave, also one or two draped skirts trimmed with lace. The zouave has its front square instead of grounded, and cut straight from the [shoulders, to be worn open to the waist, :and when made in ficelle coloured lace, ■without sleeves, it makes a capital finish to any simple muslin or foulard dress. ’The same idea can also be carried out ■successfully in fanciful embroidery or tinsel galon, and as a pretence of a wrap, it looks very smart in black,cloth ; but, then, of course, it develops into the Eton jacket. Many of the new jackets are open at the neck, and with which can be worn a folded silk scarf fastened with a dainty lace pin or brooch.

For yachting or seaside promenade purposes, a very stylish costume is the model forming the" third sketch. This is in navy serge, ' which never quite goes out of fashion, and for which there is quite a rage this year. The collar, belt, cuffs, pockets and skirt of this costume are trimmed with rows of gold braid, and down either side of the natty little jacket three gold buttons. A dark blue felt sailor hat, with ribbons of the same colour, finishes the toilet. A capital fashion in vogue now is the 1 wearing of the washing suede gloves for such purposes as boating, picknicking, and seaside wear; they give in white, and very light tints, such a smart appearance to the general ‘ get up,’ without being extravagant, as if carefully washed and dried by rolling in a cloch (not by the fire, or they shrivel and shrink), they look as good as new, They are very inexpensive, and will wear out (even with washing) two pairs of thin suede or kid. In most of the leading costume houses I notice, too, for tea gowns, dressing gowns, and demi-evening toilets, large chiffon frills falling round the throat a la ‘ Toby ’ are much in favour. I expect Madame Jane May as ‘ Pierrot ’ in ‘ L’Enfant Prodigue ’ may have done something towards introducing this fashion again, for, in spite of the most trying and hideous head-gear and whitened features, she manages with her very chic and interesting face and lithe figure to look very fascinating in the dress, a prominent feature of which is the Pierrot frill, of course round the throat, falling over the ' shoulders. Roselle.