LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1252, 27 February 1896, Page 16

LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

From Our Own Correspondent.* Regent Street, January 25. Consistency has not been a strong feature of millinery this year, and it continues to be a matter of airy indifference as to whether the flowers and fruits employed in the decoration of the smart hats and bonnets are in season or not. Cherries, which form extremely pretty autumn trimming, are amongst the things of the past in nature but still of the present for you in things millinery, and my first sketch in Fig. 1 is from an exceedingly pretty model for an autumn chapeau, designed by one of our exclusive and special milliners. The shape is of bright leaf-green felt, with a broad brim and tiny coquettish crown about four inches in height. The brim is lined with leaf-green velvet. Small cherry twigs with leaves and bunches of ruddy cherries therefrom are fastened by leaf-green ribbon velvet with reverse side of satin ; the whole forming as dainty and becoming a hat as the prettiest girl could wish for. A novelty for bonnets which is seasonable consists of building them entirely of dahlias, the double, old-fashioned variety. A number of different coloured blossoms are chosen, but such as blend harmoniously together; and the buds on their long stems are used as aigrettes on one or both sides, to relieve the flatness. The fancy

brocaded ribbons which the Baroness Burdett-Coutts endeavoured to get the worshippers at Fashion’s shrine to adopt in place of wings and feathers (which necessitate such cruel slaughter in the bird world) some time back, are makiug considerable show just now; and being used with very stylish effect, especially on the high-crowned shapes; the usual method being to fold the broad ribbon round the crown quite to the top, and then tie in a smart broad bow across the back, much on the plan of the folded throat collars which have been in vogue till just lately. This arrangement forms the foundation of the hat trimming and is supplemented by paste ornaments (which seem to have taken a fresh lease of popularity), groups of feathers, fruit, and flowers.

A pretty tennis dress is shown in Fig. 2 of dark bine cambric, with insertion trimmings on sleeves, deep collar, and waistband of openwork embroidery ; the bodice being worn over a full under vest of the same.

A chalk white straw sailor hat, with a band of dark blue velvet and dark blue wings, would go well with this dress. Ladies having become active members of shooting parties to such a large extent of late—instead of simply going out with the luncheon or driving some way with the "guns,” as they have generally hitherto done —a shooting dress is quite one of tho items of the wardrobe of the up-to-date country house visitor. Fig.. 3 shows one of the latest suits for this -purpose,' 1 which - might al s 6 be ; used far - a;»• mountaineering suit/ 1 for' • which knickerbockers aeerii ' much affected" this ytaiH-’ 1 ‘ i- ‘ r ' ■ ■ - v' The suit itself is built of a light brown Schtcli tweed 'with" a plaiddine through it of a ‘darker shade' of ’brown!. - p!h'e jacket fits tightly to the hacfc, aa( l has & full skirt, the front being finished by‘ small revers. The knickers are very full, and the waistcoat is of tan leather with small bone buttons to match. Check worsted stockings in two shades of brown, tan leather gaiters, and low-heeled tan leather shoes, complete, with a brown Tam o’

Shanter cap and eagle quill, the accessories Of this smart costume.

The Infanta Eulalia, about whom we have heard so much, has been indulging in some French gowns, several of which she has been wearing during her visit to the Rothschilds. She looked especially well in a robe of the Dubarry style. It was of pink and beige satin glace. The upper part arranged in elegant fold and from this drapery, starting under the arms and going round the waist; a rich galon embroidered in the Renaissance style; in front

at the waist a large bow of blue velvet, immense satin sleeves. A dainty gown for sweet sixteen is composed of a pale soft blue silk. The skirt is full and well hung and the bodice full also. A deep collar of white chiffon falls gracefully over the shoulders, a belt of white satin completes a pleasing little dress.

Roselle.