LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1248, 30 January 1896, Page 16

LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

From Our Oivn Correspondent. Eegent Street, December 28th. Having duly considered the holiday wardrobe from the point of view of the woman to whom " holiday " means rest, health, and escape from the friction and bustle of town life, we will now turn our attention to the other section, who may either be the country cousin seeking change from the life of rustic seclusion for the best part of the year, or the restless mortal of society, whose soul craveth for incessant stir and excitement. To either of these members of the community, the fashionable watering place rich in piers, bands, esplanades, and church parades, with liberal display of purple and fine linen, takes the form of recreation, and a much more frivolous wardrobe is necessarily required.

To begin with, then, in place of the plain serviceable hats We have been descanting on, I show in Fig. 1 a stylish and dressy chapeau which would haVe a very fascinating effect on most girls possessed of moderate good looks. The crown is of basin or beehive shape in yellow fancy straw. The brim is composed of black accordioned chiffon put on very full, and kept out by a fine black silk" wire, inside midway. Bound the base of the crown yellow satin ribbon is folded, forming bows at the side and back.

which fasten groups of black ostrich tips and yellow Roman poppies. I saw also a pretty bonnet for a little girl, for smart wear. It was of the Charity shape, in cream satin, edged by cream open-work embroidery which also entirely comprises the full, high crown. Strings are rather muffling on warm days for holding these bonnets on, and an elastic of a colour with the bonnet, worn under the chin, is better"; in appearance, too, as it is unnoticeable, and the strings take from the character of the bonnet.

Apropos of toilettes for the ocean wave, there were some very dainty costumes arranged for the English sea-side and French coast visitors. A well-known Trouville pilgrim ordered for herself the following smart equipment in which she gave her sea parties. Over pantaloons that strike the happy mean as regards length, is a short tunic cut on the latest godet principle and ornamented very

smartly and very originally about the shoulders. The material employed for this turn-out is a bright cornflower blue serge, relieved by narrow cream braid. The abbreviated sleeves are ever so much more comfortable than coverings to the wrist, and the square at the neck is most becoming. It is always advisable to wear shoes in the water.

Chiffons, gauzes, Swiss muslins, nets, and tulles were one and all favoured by the guests who graced the garden party given by the Duke and Duchess of SaxeCoburg and Gotha. Indeed, the raiment was so ethereal that many came to the conclusion that this summer's out-door toilettes are quite as butterfly-like as ballroom gowns. At the Oxford and Cambridge match at Lord's Cricket Ground, dress was of course of rather a more substantial description, smart taffeta silks being very much to the fore. Here is a model of one of the prettiest frocks affected by the young,ladies who came to applaud their mankind playing

in the match. The Cambridge colouring in this toilette is carried out in the silk, which shades from light blue to a soft nuance of dove grey. From the waist hang stole-like pieces of plain cerulean silk covered with the fashionable openwork cream batiste, this very chic trimming, being again brought into service for the pointed belt, the long cuffs, and the garniture about the neck and shoulders. This idea could be carried out in any colour to match any club. A very pretty and novel fad has just appeared, without doubt emanating from ha ville lumiere. It takes the form of having one's initials embroidered on the back of one's gloves, where formerly the stitching was placed.' The initials are in some cases very elaborate, and always ir?. a contrasting colour to the glove itself. BOSELLJSJ,

Hawera papers record the marriage of Miss Nellie Davis (fourth daughter of Mrs Davis, of Wellington) to Mr W. Turner (second eon pf Captain of Wellington).' Ike

ceremony took place in St. Mary's Church, Hawera, on the 22nd. The bride was attended by Miss Tottie Davis and Miss Turner, while the duties of best man were carried out by Mr A. Turner. Afternoon tea was partaken of at the residence ot Mr Elliott, Collins street, after which the happy couple left by this afternoon's train for their home near Stratford. . Mr W. B. Fox, brother of Colonel Fox, was married at Cnlverdon on Thursday to Miss Wilson, daughter of Mr Frederick Wilson, of Culverden. Mr Robert Smart Sline agent of the Bank of New Zealand, Palmerston North, was ;married last week at l.evin to Miss Hilda Harriette, eldest daughter of Mr V. T. Hitchings, " Woodstock," Levin. The Palmerston Times says : —The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a gown of ivory duchesse satin with court train of ivory brocade falling from left shoulder, trimmed with a bow of white satin ribbon and spray of orange blossoms. The bodice was trimmed with Brussels lace and pearl and sequin i embroidery, and her tulle veil was fastened with a spray of orange blossoms. She carried a lovely shower bouquet of white roses and maiden-hair fern, the gift of the bridegroom, and wore a pearland turquoise brooch, and a pearl and ruby ring,-also gifts of the bridegroom. She was attended by her sister, Miss Nellie Hitchings, as bridesmaid, who was attired in a gown of pink satin and chiffon, with large black velvet picture hat trimmed with white ostrich tips and pink chiffon rosettes, and who carried a shower bouquet of pink and white roses, and wore a pearl and emerald brooch, both gifts of the bridegroom. The best man was Mr Chas. Dnrdin of Shaumagany Castle, County Cork, Ireland. Later in the afternoon the happy couple left by train en route for Auckland and the Lake district, where the honeymoon will be spent. The bride's travelling dress was brown covert coating, trimmed with blue and gold brocade, with cape and hat to match. The presents were both numerous and costly.