LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1196, 1 February 1895, Page 14

LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

From Our Own Correspondent. Regent street, December 8. ‘ Make holiday, your rye straw hats put on," so spake the bard of old ; and the first part of this excellent advice we are most of us just now nothing loth to take, though not at all so certain as to the “ rye-straw hats." A holiday hat depends so much upon the point of view of the holiday maker. A mammoth trunk crammed full of a variety of the smartest hats and

bonnets, in addition to much purple and fine linen, wherewith to spend the time In a chronic Btate of parade, is the vision of one; while another—possibly a brain Worker, as there are so many such now women—longs for a cessation of

all such pomps and vanities for the time, and is anxious to make her gowns and “ things " as subservient as possible to the healty enjoyment of hill and dale, sea and river.

To the latter a simple hat, such as that I have sketched for our millinery note this week, would be acceptable, for the desirable features we wish to combine for a chapeau of this kind, namely lightness, a certain shade, becomingness, and cheapness, that there need be no concern about damage, any item being easily replaced, are all here. The shape is a broad brimmed, coarse burnt straw. A narrow black ribbon velvet, about half an inch wide, passes round the crown, and in front big bows of chiffon are grouped with large double poppies, the same narrow velvet tying the hat on. The discourtesies shown to Dame Nature in artificial flowers this summer have surely been sufficient to rouse the good lady’s most wrathful and shuddering indignation. Black and green roses were bad enough to begin with, but these floral eccentricities have since been followed by petunia-coloured roses, and purple and violet poppies 1

A charming toilette for a young lady for garden party, flower show, or fete wear, is the subject of my second illustration. This pretty costume is composed of very pale green crepon, the bodice being fully drawn at throat and waist. The throat has an upstanding collar of white satin bands, with a bow rosette on the left side, and from the satin collar a very broad shoulder one falls, of crepon, edged with white vandyked guipure; the cuffs of sleeves being of the same. A sash of broad white satin ribbon folds round the waist and falls to the hem of the skirt, which is quite plain but for a froufrou flounce round the border about five inches in width. One of the new yellow straw hats is worn with this dress, trimmed with groups of white roses and white satin ribbon. A very smart and stylish gown for seaside, yachting, or boating, is sketched as my third design.

The material is cream boating flannel. The chic little coat is worn over a long pointed vest of dark bine flannel} with buttons of same. The novel skirt is piped up in panels which, opening slightly towards bottom, show a dark blue flannel underskirt. A white straw sailor hat with a dark blue and white striped band completes a taking tout ensemble. The stick which we are now familiar with as always used by the Queen for assistance when walking, and with which she is nearly always photographed, is said to be historical, as it is supposed to have been presented by a loyal citizen of Worcester to Charles the Second. Koselle. At Messrs W. Barber and Co/s Dyeing Establishment in Cuba street will be found every facility for Cleaning, Dyeing and Finishing all kinds of goods in a manner most suited to the various materials. The machinery used is the most improved and perfect in tho trade, the best dyes are used, and goods are carefully treated by experienced workmen. Particulars as to prices, etc., will be sent post free on application, i . ?