LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1106, 12 May 1893, Page 19

LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

PROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.) Kegent Street, March 25.

Though generally more becoming (especially now that they are worn in such picturesque and' artistic styles), hats must occasionally give place to bonnets, not only when a bonnet is considered more suitable to the age of a lady who may be advancing, or is advanced in years, but for some particular occasions, when it is demanded by the mysterious laws of fashion and custom, such as church, ceremonious visits, etc., so that the wardrobe, to be complete, must contain a bonnet for such emergencies, though a hat may be usually worn. It is, by-the-bye, a perfect fallacy that the bonnet is most suitable to the elderly. Many matrons might look far better in an unobtrusive and suitable hat that really came. on to their heads than in the ludicrous fly away erections generally dedicated to their special wear, exposing the whole of the face, and greater part of the head, in the most uncompromising manner, and trimmed, as a rule, with the most unsuitable decorations obtainable.

Some extremely stylish little bonnets have been showing lately in Begent street, and in that infallible field for chic and up to date millinery—the Burlington Arcade an example of which forms the subject of my millinery sketch this week. This model is a small dark green straw, slightly ' Stuart' shaped in front and bound round tbe edge by folds about an inch wide of dark green velvet. Bibbon velvet about two inches in width, of the same shade, is twisted round the low crown, ending in loops in the front of the bonnet, where they are, with two small sable tails, fastened by a good paste buckle, velvet strings completing it. The cape craze remains unabated, and seems likely to continue so throughout the winter.

A very stylish outdoor coat is shown in our second design, with a shoulder cape attached. Made literally after our model, this design would do for very smart occasions only ; but the colours could be easily substituted by more homely ones, thus making it suitable for every day wear. The material consists of dark blue cloth militaire; the facing collar, cuffs and cape being of white cloth, all having three rows of'stitching at the edges. Silver ' page' buttons fasten the coat towards the left side and the cuffs. With this jacket a dark blue cloth toque, trimmed with white silk and white wings, is worn.

We, of course, are keeping Lent, but I suppose you are already past Easter, and are thinking of winter parties. Probably invitations to dances and festive evening gatherings are already making their appearance on the social tapis, and we must bestir ourselves (if we wish to be prepared to ' R.S.V.P.') without further loss of time on the subject of evening gowns. There were exceptionally pretty dresses for evening wear this winter, so many lovely soft draperies being in the market, lovely floral trails, and dainty ornaments, A very pretty design for a quiet family gathering is represented in my third sketch.

The ground-work of the bodice—so to speak is white silk flecked with black. The zouaves and the skirt are of black silk, slightly trained. Across the vest are bands of black velvet, with the inevitable buckle. A black velvet waistband completes the design. Skirt dancing having become such a rage, and so many danseuses wearing accordeon kilted skirts, which are certainly very dainty looking, has reintroduced the accordion kilting for ordinary wear in daily gowns; and we have seen one or two look remarkably well. In a recent pretty dress, the skirt is of fawn woollen, and is worn with a blue silk bodice covered with fulled soft ficelle lace. The lace of the sleeves is in a puff from shoulder to elbow, where it is drawn in with a ribbon and falls in a deep frill below. A broad sash is draped around the top of the corselet, and finishes in a large bow on the bust in front.

Just now the revivals of designs of embroidery in Louis XV. and XVI. styles are popular. These are, as a rule, carried carried out with sewing silks, which are necessary to produce the delicacy of the fine, small blossoms and foliage peculiar to these embroideries. They resemble as nearly as possible the finely twisted silks with which the work wa3 originally executed, BOSELtE.