LONDON FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1061, 30 June 1892, Page 16

LONDON FASHIONS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) London, May 3

In the matter of hats nothing seems too daring or obtrusive to be worn just now. It is true the wearers of most of the atrocities now worn in the name of millinery are not of the most exclusive sets of society ; but there is no reason why middle-class girls should not be as capable of exercising good taste as the most highly born, e3pe cially as in present days the education of a fairly well-to-do commoner’s daughter is, as a rule, quite equal to the most aristocratic maidens’, which would argue an amount of discrimination between vulgarity and refinement. Tousley hair has been some time tabooed as bad form, and though dressed elaborately still in the matter of little rolls and coils at the back, is kept within bounds, and done to look

more like hair and leas like chair stuffing run wild. The sooner tousley hats, with long stiff feathers sticking aggressively out from any or every point without rhyme or reason and a general toss together of any, apparently, odds and ends—no matter how tawdry or unsuitable—follow the hair, the better. It i 3 quite refreshing to turn from the contemplation at concert or matinee of a collection of these outre, unkempt looking heads to a moderately neat and lady-like one ; such, for instance, as the one sketched as our first fashion note this week. This little bonnet is made on a very low black net shape , covered by bands of black ribbon velvet brought from back to front, either point having a knot of velvet bows, finished by small terra-cotta coloured ostrich tips. Fancy dress balls are now such a popular method of passing an evening that hints on the subject are sure to be acceptable. Very few people care to hire a good costume, and still fewer have any desire te spend more money on a dreßs for one evening only than is absolulely necessary. The second illustration is one that can bo carried out at a very slight expense. Parts of an old velveteen dress or mantle which are still pretty good can, in these days of limp and gored skirtß, be easily used. If there is not sufficient material for the back of the skirt, a width of the scarlet could be let in. This colour need not necessarily be of silk, unless a very pretty dreis is wanted. Turkey twill, red prints, or red cashmere, with black cashmere or black silk, make excellent substitutes for the materials in the costume.

The sketch represents ‘Rouge e.t Noir, and may be made a very dashing and taking dress. The skirt and under bodice is of black velvet, over folded portion, scarf, and shoulder knots being of scarlet silk. A black velvet and scarlet silk cap. is worn ori the head, and the fan" carried is scarlet with black spokes, and the four aces of the card pack gummed on. Long fur-lined mantles are very stylish and comfortable. Their wear is by no means confined to middle-aged or elderly ladies. Dainty, slim young figures look exceedingly well clad in one of these useful, warm and becoming gar* ments. They are, however, better suited to tall people than to short. The third illustration shows one of these mantles.

This handsome paletdt is made in cloth of a pale shade of tan, with a suspicion of pink in its composition. It is beautifully trimmed with rich bows of velvet and fur. The sleeves are very original, being turned barely at the elbow in a deep cuff lined with velvet and edged with fur. The bonnet is brown and pink, harmonising with the Btyle of the mantle. HINTS FOR THE LITTLE ONES. What to have for the heads of small people is often the question of importance to mothers. For baby girls this season, the most picturesque bonnets are made of soft bengaline or fine cashmere, shirred about the brim, having soft crowus and trimmed with a tiny bunch of ostrich feathers and high loops of ribbon, like aigrettes, fastened just on the top. These are regular picturesque bonnets and should be very large ; they are at once pretty and keep the little head well warmed, something that is very necessary. Larger girls, those about five years, also wear large bonnets, or felt hats tied down in bonnet shapes. A girl even larger than this may wear a very large felt hat trimmed either with ribbon or pompons, but it must not have too elaborate a look, and the younger the girl is the more certain must it be to have ribbon strings to tie it in place. Baby boys wear big Tam O’Shanters made of white cloth with a fancy band either of quilled ribbon or ostrich feathers next to the face ; wide strings, having very often ear tab 3, are tied under the chin. All of these hatß are pretty and becoming, and most of them can be made by the woman who is handy with her needle. Tho little girls’ bonnets are made exactly like the gingham ones were last summer, and as the cloth is easier gathered into place it should be quite as effectively and as well made as ona of cotton. Just remember that to keep the little head warm means a great deal ; not only keeping it from all pains just now, but from a good many troubles in tho future, so see that it is well protected from the winter winds. Roselle.