LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1206, 12 April 1895, Page 12

LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

From Our Own Correspondent. Regent street, February 16.

A toque of mink fur is the subject of my sketch in Fig. 1 this week. lb is simply trimmed by a scarf of delicate creamy lace twisted round, terminating in high fan bows at the left side, and fastened by a rather large paste buckle. Some of these fur and lace toques have bunches of violets tucked in ; and this flower seems likely to run the risk of losing its boasted modesty of disposition, so much flattering attention is again being shown it; quite half the hats and bonnets being trimmed with violet just now, in addition to evening gowns, jabots, and all sort 3 of toilette odds and ends. Chrysanthemums are a good deal used, mauye especially. Black chrysanthemums, too, have been introduced, and many of these flowers are cleverly made in velvet, and have a very pretty effect for winter millinery.

Turbans are wore for evening dress this winter; an announcement producing awe and trembling, till we find they will bear no resemblance to the fearful and wonderful erections worn by ladies some sixty or seventy years back, which, in addition to a mighty swathing of gauze, silk, and muslin were decorated with anything in the way of gorgeous jewels, or feathers, up to a bird Of paradise. The up-to date turban is quite small, and really like the very pretty " Cloches de Corneville " caps, worn also for evening about ten years ago. In Fig. 2 1 give a very becoming blouse, in deep red bengaline, trimmed with jet passementerie. This pretty bodice is tucked over the shoulders, from whence it is allowed to go free over the bust, ihen tucked again at the waist, and loose once more below. The tabs of jetting passing between each row of tucks terminate in jet fringe, which also finish the same at throat and wrists. The sleeves, it will be seen, are of Bishop'pattern, with rows of jet passementerie placed perpendicularly. This design would look equally well in any material pliant enough to allow of the tucking. Velvet blouses are charming

for winter wear, but would not make up well in a tucked design of this kind, as it would make the waist so thick. Mrs Patrick Campbell's costumes in " John-o'-Dreams," at the Haymarket, call for no special comment beyond + he inconsistency of wearing sables in a midsummer scene; but Miss Steer wears a notable one, in the first act, of pink 3atin, shading from deep (from the skirt upwards) to very pale; the skirt being covered in black, and moonlight sequins, to imitate the marking of a serpent; and a charming little velvet cape of old rose, donned downwards.

Crepon is undoubtedly the material just now of fancy kinds. In addition to the " Wave Mohair," I have previously chronicled, two further introductions are now being used for winter gowns, the " Caracuille," and the "Bark" crepons. The latter is, as its name suggests, an imitation of the bark of a tree ; the undulations being about the same size as those of a medium-size tree bark. Such pronounced patterned fabrics as these should be most sparingly trimmed, and of the various trimmings now anfait velvet is the best of any.

The design in Fig. 3 is a modish gown of dark indigo "Bark" crepon, with a cape en suite ; cut in the newest mode quite to the shape of the shoulders. The sole trimming, it will be seen, consists of a panel of velvet the same shade, on left side, over the" upper part of which falls a frou-frou of the material and velvet; the cape being finished by a ruffle of velvet, and revers and frou-frou of alternate crepon and velvet.

Koselle.

The dress-cutting exposition at Thomas' Hall on Saturday afternoon attracted a large number of ladies, fully 100 being present. Mr Powell, after a short address on points in cutting and fitting, demonstrated how easy it is for even a beginner to obtain a faultless-fitting garment by the aid of the '• Columbia Fitter." At his invitation several ladies stepped forward and had their measures taken. The " Columbia Fitter " was then placed on the material and with a coloured lead pencil marks were made according to the various measurements, and in about five minutes the pattern was ready for putting together. This was done, and the result was all that could be desired. The invention is to be on exhibition at Thomas' Hall every afternoon this week.

A auiet wedding took place at St. Mark's Church yesterday week, when Mr E. H. Lough, accountant to the New Zealand Electrical Syndicate, son of Mr E. A. Lough, town clerk of Timaru, was married to Miss Mabel Stringer, daughter of Mr William Stringer, of EJlice street. The bride was attired in her travelling costume of brown tweed, trimmed with fur. The bridesmaids were Miss E. Stringer, and Misses Champion (2), sister and nieces of the bride. Mr J. A. Stewart acted as j best man. The ceremony was performed by the Rev R. Coffey. Only the relatives of the bride and bridegroom were present. A number of gifts, both numerous and choice, were received from friends of the parties. Mrs and Mrs Lough will spend i the honeymoon in the South Island.