LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1193, 11 January 1895, Page 14

LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

From Our Own Correspondent. Regent street, November 17. . Whether the exhilarating air, clear atmosphere, and general aspect of enjoyment one encounters at fashionable watering places and health resorts enters into the spirits of the modish milliners of such parts we know not; but we know that we frequently see more piquant and smarter creations in hats and bonnets at the modistes of some of the lovely spots which have been claimed by wealth and fashion as their qw|» particular health-restoring neighbourhoods than at many first class London establishments.

One of these examples I saw just recently at Malvern, and made a sketch of it as one of tlie daintiest and most chic

little hats for a ycung lady I have seen for some time ; the which forms my first design. The shape was a fine, Enow-white straw sailor shape, but of the rather smaller crown and rather broader brim type familiar now. A band of white satin ribbon encircled the crown, and on either side a group of two or three small yellow roses, minus leaves, nestled against the base of the crown, with a snow white mercury wing standing up from behind the rose 3. A pretty fair girl would have looked simply irresistible in this bewitching chapeau. Henley, at all times a perfect carnival of dress, was held under unusually happy circumstances this last time; simply perfect weather, putting all attending the regatta in the best possible spirits and tempers; one and all resolved to do their " little* possible "to add to the brilliancy of the scene ; whether that possible lay in charming toilettes, floral boat decorating, or toothsome provision for the inner man or woman during the function. In the smaller craft, the costumes were mostly of the ordinary boating lines, plain sorgo or

flannel skirt and coat, shirt and tie, or blazer (ladies' blazers being a special point this year), and sailor hat: all of the lightest and brightest tints, and most manly cut; in fact, it took a minute or two to say at little distance whether the occupants of various festive canoes were of the youthful sterner sex or the fair one. The house-boats and banks showed the more elaborate and fanciful toilettes; which certainly beat the record of smart dressing. My second sketch is a Henley gown of White silk muslin, with a pattern of small yellow flowers. The bodice had a drapery of yellow Liberty silk, arranged to have the appearance of a large butterfly bow (which the sketch will explain), a long buckle of pearl sequins fastening it in the centre, and scarf round waist, with long ends edged at bottom by a fringe of pearl sequins. The sleeves were honeycombed

from shoulder seam to just below the curve of arm, then expanding into immense balloons to elbow. A charming hat of white chiffon, with a high crown trimmed with pearl sequins, and a group of white satin ribbon, and yellow roses, the brim being composed of white chiffon pleatings, two in number, one above the other, completed the costume. Many of my readers are. probably by this preparing to wing their flight seawards ; and now bathing gowns have become such extremely glorified garments, a costume of this description is quite one of the important items of the seaside trunk. Anything will not do now; a woman is expected to look nice while disporting herself in the briny as well as on parade, and quite right, too, especially as very little trouble or expense will ensure this desirable result.

My third illusti atiun may prove a useful suggestion for a smart and very corn-

fortable bathing costume. The materia is of serge, either dark blue, cornflower blue, dark red, or terracotta ; with neck, bocker frills and waist band of white serge. The bodice is simply cut like a very full blouse, half way to the knees, the shaped band gathering it into waist, and throat tied by white cords with ball tassels. Kosellej