LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1213, 31 May 1895, Page 14

LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

From Our Own Correspondent. Begent Street, April 20. The authors of the "Green Carnation" have made their hero enquire (in a manner highly suggestive of the ancient riddle relating to a white-hatted miller), " Why do good women wear large hats ? " It is probably as new to our readers as to ourselves, that a woman's morals do accord with the size of her head gear ; it should be an immense advantage to ns henceforth to be able to spot the " ui CO guid" thus easily; and so useful to, at a glance, detect the unregenerate by their small toques or bonnets, just as we can the bad woman of the play by her invariable red gown. So maxjy large Hai;s are being worn just now that" Mie tE rhoral atmosphere of the feminine contingency must be greatly in the ascendency, Fig. 1 shows a rather stylish example of the virtuous hat, and. consists of a fine black straw shape with a broad brim lined with black velvet. It is very prettily trimmed by a bandeau, with a small bow

under the brim, and large loops and ends round the front of the crown of black and white striped satin ribbon, on the top of which rests a white bird with outstretched wings. "With the ordinary everyday jackets this last winter, it seems very much a case of "as you was"; the sleeves are a little fuller if possible, and the waist trimming of braid and embroidery (so popular last jacket season) is entirely dispensed with ; so, if you wish to make a last season's jacket do duty again., this decoration must be promptly removed, or the fiction that it is this year's purchase will be quickly exploded.

In Fig. 2 I illustrate a very pretty novelty for outdoor wear over a gown that is warm enough to dispense with a coat on milder days as yet.

This is a collar (upstanding) of velvet, with a frou-frou jabot to waist of the same, edged with ostrich feather trimming; and a sac muff with large bow of the same. The dainty model I made the sketch from was of very deep violet velvet, edged with black feather trimming, the mull lined with black satin.

I hear your New Zealand winter season is beginning, in fact that many good dances have already taken place. The light fantastic element is warming into life again in all directions, and those delightful little notes and cards of invitation to " trip it " once more are again making their welcome appearance. You must therefore be prepared, without more delay, with festive attire in accordance.

The lucky possessors of well-filled purses can find no great difficulty in this pleasant undertaking; but much solemn conclave is necessary for the achievement of a successful gown for a dance or a ball, when the needful funds are of a limited ' character. I recently noted a very stylish evening gown skecched in Fig. 8, which would be a useful model (by reason of its variety) for making up out of bygone evening frocks, with a few fresh items and ingenuity, a very successful toilette. Ttae skirt is silk or satin, panel lace, with ribbon loops ; and bodice of velvet. Eoselle.

At the weekly meeting of the "Women's Social and Political League, after the general business, several members were elected and others nominated. It was also decided that in future the weekly meetings take place in Room No. 6, Exchange Buildings, in the evening instead of the afternoon as formerly. A resolution was passed thanking the Rev W. Evans for the use of the Ballance Hall. Our London writes under date April 20th :—Mr Edward Ashton St. Hill, son of Canon St. Hill, of Hawke's Bay, was married on the 18th instant to Miss Silvia Field, elder daughter of Mr "Walter Field, of the Pryors, Hampstead.