LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1156, 27 April 1894, Page 14

LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

From Our London Correspondent. Regent Street, March 3. Among the multiplicity of toques, berets (or, rather, improved Tarn O* Shantera), and picture hats, one is sometimes apt to neglect the rather demurer bonnet, which, however, alw .ys remains a favourite with Royalty. Exceedingly smart and '* good form" is the black capote given as the first sketch. Cut in points it is perfectly fiat, the only ornamentation on the tightly drawn velvet being the jet trimming round the edge. Jet is lavishly sprinkled on the black *' Mercury " wings that prevent the whole effect being flat. The strings, tied into the nattiest of little tide-bows, are composed of satin. As a rule we have a penchant for veils of a gossamer-like description, displaying tiny spots. Very soon, though, we shall perhaps be following in the footsteps of the Parisiennes, who have taken to thick viokttes embroidered with large flower

patterns. The notion is excellent for the days of fog and snow.

As a variation to jackets provided with the up to-date " trumpet " cape, some of the French costumiers are turning out three quarter length coats, with the addition of a hood, the back of the garment being gathered at the waist, while the front is ornamented either with small or large re vers. A stylish frock is shown in the second sketch. The combination of materials is essentially picturesque, light brown

Amazon cloth forming the groundwork, on which aatrachan and brown velvet are skilfully planned. On the crosa overbodice, puckerjd slightly at the back, and gathered in in new atyle in front,fare newfashioned revers in attrachan and velvet, that extended over the aheuldera to form a kind of pointed cape at the back. A small strap cf velvet ia introduced, with a large bronze button back and front on each tight-fitting cuff, the corsage being fastened by similar metal ornamenta. In the jupe we find an idealised double arrangement, the underskirt being trimmed with a deep band of velvet. The upper portions opens on the left side, aud is gathered a litt'o to nearly as far aa the hips. From this point it moulds the shape until developing into the fan-like pleats

shown in the back view. In this it will be found that the jupe ia completed by bandi of velvet starting from the waist, and secured to the cloth by bronze buttom. Mademoiselle hai crowned her coil by a round wide-brimmed hat in light brown felt. The crown if loosely covered with black velvet, and bows of the same darker material are mixed with scarlet crows' wings that introduce not of glowing colour. The ornamental braces adopted by some of the best-dressed Frenchwomen are very much to be admired. The other evening at a supper party, Sarah Bernhadt wore a high»necked bodice in mauve silk

muslin, displaying the novelty in question. These bretellus, about three inches in width, were composed, as far as the bust; and middle of the back, of guipure insertion laid on black velvet. Three horiz n»ral rows of narrow jet trimming divided the bands'of lace from the lower portion of the braces, which from thii juncture were composed of three narrow mauve satin rtbVons, terminating just below tho wai«c. Half-a dozen ptirs of these bretelles, devised in different colour*, could be easily and inexpensively manufactured at home, and would do much towards renovating an old black gown. BOSSLLR.