LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1204, 29 March 1895, Page 12

LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

From Our Own Correspondent. Begent Street, February 6. In Fig. 1, my readers will see one of the new drawn velvet hats, which, with other shapes, is extensively and picturesquely worn this winter. They are, of course, made on light wired net shapes ; the brims being very broad, and crowns high, of the shape impoetically known as the "jam pot/'

New 1 Drawn Velvet-Hat. „,

The velvet isr drawn from the centre of aforesaid crown down tio the base; from whence it is best to start a fresh piece for drawing over the brim, as it takes a considerable sweep of material to do so nicely, and if this amount were carried up, it would render the crown too thick and clumsy. Satin ribbon encircles the crown at the base, and again half-way up, and terminates in short loops and ends towards the front j and the left side is further trimmed with ostrich tips. These hats are invariably made entirely in black. The inside of brim can be covered by drawn velvet or satin, according to taste. The New Woman, in future, will not be much troubled in matters of millinery, it appears, as it is reported she intends appropriating the classic "stove-pipe," or "top" hat, to her superior head. Strapped seams and applique was quite the novelty for tailor-made garments this autumn. Pig. 2 is an example of this decoration, applied to a neat little double cape of fawn-coloured Melton cloth. The edges, it will be seen, are strapped, and the applique is employed at each corner; the collar being prettily finished by an overlay of fawn-coloured velvet. In some of the capes and half-length cloaks the applique is most successfully used m masse over the shoulders in scrolled

designs, and, in still handsomer coats, carried entirely over the whole, excepting the sleeves, which are usually of velvet.

Broche and brocaded silks are evidently to be much used again, whereat we may be glad, as there is always a rich, picturesque appearance about them, not obtained by many other fabrics. These lovely silks are being used very much for tea-gowns just now, and Fig. 3 illustrates one just recently seen at one of our leading modistes. The broche portion of the gown was of watercress green, and fell in rich folds from a yoke of ecru guipure lace, finished by a tabbed collar of velvet, a shade or two

darker than the silk, and edged with green and gold passementerie. Lace ruffl.es of the same as yoke finish the very full double sleeves; and green velvet rosettes are placed on each, in addition to those at throat and bust.

At a recent smart London winter wedding the bride wore a dress of rich ivory white satin, the skirt and bodice tastefully draped with old Honiton lace; the large bishop sleeves had ruffles at the wrists, and a cravat was worn at the throat of the same valuable lace. Sprays of orange blossoms in the hair were covered by an old Honiton lace veil, which was fastened with diamond ornaments; and her bouquet, which was the gift of the bridegroom, was composed of stephanotis, orange blqssoms and white lilac. Ten bridesmaids were in attendance on the bride, wearing dresses of white striped glace silk, with short yokes of coffee-coloured guipure, and cape collars of geranium velvet, edged with beaver and trimmed with lace; large sleeves, with cuffs of beaver, and black velvet hats, with bows cf geranium velvet, white wings and beaver fur. The bridegroom's gifts to them were pearl and enamel heart-shaped safety-pin brooches and bouquets of scarlet tulips and lilies of the valley. The bride travelled in a dress of blue cloth, the coat, trimmed with black fox fur, opening over a vest of buff-coloured silk, spotted with black, and a jabot of old lace; large black beaver hat, ornamented with black feathers and a bow of peach-pink velvet. Her travelling cloak, of dark brown cloth, was lined with fur, and had a large collar and cuffs of mink, and mink muff to match. Her Majesty the Queen presented the bride with an Indian shawl. Boselle.

Visiting cards tastefully printed at 5s per hundred, post free, at the New Zealand Mail office. Some Westport young ladies are indulging in the sensible exercise of rowing, concerning which the Inangahua Times has this to say :—" This is certainly a more commendable way of proving the capabilities of the fair sex than 'dress reform' and other freaks of ' new womanism/ " The percentage of pauperism to population in England is now little more than half of what it was between 30 or 40 years ago. tin a particular week of 1857 there were 807,000 paupers in a population of some 19,000,000. In a corresponding week of this year there were but 681,000 paupers in a population of 30,000,000. New York has 30,000 barbers, who shave 1,000,000 a week on an average.