LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1211, 17 May 1895, Page 16

LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

From Our Own Correspondent. Regent Street. March 28. There are few really more becoming head coverings than a pretty opera hood ; so unlike many toilette items, it is not only beautiful to look at, but exceedingly comfortable to wear, a,nd far more protective and sensible indeed for winter wear than fly-away hats and bonnets, did but fashion decree that hoods should be the mode for winter wear in general. Some charming designs in evening hoods were introduced this winter at many of the leading modistes, hut one wellknown artistic firm has specially distinguished itself in novel combinations for this purpose, especially in the introduction of the delicate crepe and chiffon flowers (which proved so successful for choice artistic millinery) amongst the ruchings or pleatings around the face. One lovely example I noticed recently was a white satin hood with a thick ruche of white floss silk, with white crepe snowdrops peeping out of the flossy bed of silk in all directions. Another, which is shown in Fig. 1, was of rich white silk lined with

heliotrope satin, a thick ruche of floss silk also surrounding the face, with deep violets taking the place of the snowdrops. The shape of this hood, it will be seen, too, is rather novel, being in one with two long ends which knot loosely under the chin. Velvet, which was used for everything this winter so lavishly, is also pressed into the service of these pretty hoods, and is certainly one of the most becoming juxtapositions for the face it is possible to find, besides looking very rich and artistic, especially with edgings of good fur. In our anxiety over our own gowns for festive evenings we must not forget the claims of juvenile revellers. Children are so satisfactory to dress, as given the slightest trouble and taste expended they give such pleasing results; nearly always repaying us by looking as pretty and dainty as one could wish. This winter the opportunities are very great for dressing little party-goers prettily at small cost; for surely never before have such wonderful tints and shades in soft, delicate, and cheap materials been procurable as now. Nun’s. veiling has been much improved ns a fabric of late ; crepons too are admirable for the purpose, and for those fond mothers whose purses will allow some additional margin in expenditure, and who yearn for richer attire than these simple and inexpensive materials, soft washing silks and velvet make charming evening frocks for children. In Fig. 2 I give a simple design for a little girl from seven to ten,

which makes up very effectively. The material is shrimp pink crepon, and it is cut smock fashion from under the arm pits, a full puffing falling from the throat over the shoulders to the top of the smock robe. The sleeves are very full, and come to the elbows only. A deep Vandyke guipure white lace forms a “ toby ” and ruffles at throat and elbows, and this tout ensemble ia completed by black silk stockings and pink shoes. A thorough useful yet stylish and be*

coming gown is sketched in Fig. 3, and is composed of chocolate coloured woollen cfepon. The skirt is quite plain, the

bodice full and gathered into a chocolate velvet corselet, fastening on the left side with velvet buttons. "Velvet also composes the revers and the cuffs to the full Bishop sleeves. The newest thing in evening gloves is a species of lace heading about the elbow, which makes a nice finish to a long glove. ' The jewellers have “ out Ileroded Herod" of late in the beauty of novel designs. For specially elaborate and fanciful designs we have hitherto had to look to imitation jewellery mainly, the reason given being that there was too much waste in the cutting of such elaborate representations for such valuable materials; but this obstacle appears to have been surmounted in some way, judging by the lovely fancies now carried out in gold and precious stones. Flowers of many kinds for instance are now being represented with wonderful fidelity, -with diamond encrusted stalks, the blossoms being carried out in appropriate coloured stones. Roselle.