LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1212, 24 May 1895, Page 14

LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

From Our Own Correspondent. Regent Street, March 30. As I have repeatedly remarked, velvet, always so popular for winter wear, is still more so this season. I must introduce to your notice figure 1, which is a most fascinating black velvet hat, with a “ Tam o’ Shanter ” crown, dotted over with cut jet beads, a band of jetting encircling the base, and the brim being also edged by jet; the further trimming consisting of black ostrich tips, and a long plume. Velvet

hats (and indeed all things of velvet), are much de rigueur just now, but these hats should never be attempted unless of really good materials, as of common velvet, or velveteen, with indifferent feathers, they descend to tawdry finery. In figure 2 I give an exceedingly simple and pretty evening blouse bodice of white or pale yellow chiffon, for wearing with a silk skirt of either. This bodice is gathered fully (baby fashion) round the debolletage, which is also finished by a quilling of lace, and drawn down to the waist again ; the sleeves are very full, drawn into the elbow, and then form a full frill or ruffle. The fastenings are at the back, and the trimming consists of rather wide black ribbon velvet, put across the bust to represent insertion, not really passing through, bub cleverly cut in pieces of a given length, fastened under the full folds to have that effect, terminating in a bow on the left side ; the velvet also composing the sleeve ties, and waistband.

Fancy dress balls are in the air very much at this period. The Covent Garden functions, up to the present, have been, if possible, more successful than last year, though the costumes have not perhaps boasted any unusual novelties ; but as the pleasure derived from being built up in some unwieldy construction for a representation, and reduced thereby to a state

of helplessness necessitating a guide, philosopher and friend to pilot one about the ballroom all the evening, is more than doubtful, this has been no great loss.

The dominos have been the most noticeable feature this season, being as lovely as rich and delicate fabrics could make them, and some simply covered with flowers. It is an easy matter enough to provide oneself with a charming fancy dress with the “ open sesame ” of a long purse, but otherwise, one looks and feels dubious sometimes.

In figure 3 I have solved the difficulty for one selection b,y a bewitching dress for “ adancinggirl." Over a petticoat of cheap black lace flouncing is worn a red accordioned skirt (the accordioned crepon can be obtained now for a couple of shillings a yard, and is all ready for putting

into a band); the wing sleeves are also of red accordioned crepon ; and the bodice of black velvet, or velveteen, trimmed with jet sequins ; a jetted net with sequins is worn on the hair, and black silk stockings with red shoes complete a costume few would find a difficulty in looking nice in. Orange colour is the latest fancy for evening wear, but a word of warning regarding the same should be urged on fairhaired women, never to attempt it; pale yellow will suit a blonde admirably, but orange has a disastrous effect, and should be worn by the distinctly dark alone. Roselle.