LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 16

LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

From Our Special Correspondent. Regent street, March 28.

In tho illustrations this week, I am introducing to your readers two more novelties in ostrich feather trimmings. Tho fust is shown in Fig. 1, on the hat sketched as the millinery model, and consists of what may be described as a coronet of upstanding tips. 'The shapo is of black velvet, and lias a broad brim and perfectly defined, though not very high,

crown. Round tho latter is placed tho feather coronet to a height of six or seven inches. The stems are hidden by a broad folded Watteau ribbon with gold ground and pattern of black velvet, which at the back spreads into the important loops and bows which make the hat of the moment. These coronets and groups of upstanding black ostrich tips are anything but pretty or graceful in any one respect; they are, indeed, frequently ludicrous, and, at times, highly suggestive of depressing decorations for funerals, or the terrifying fourpost bedsteads (preserved in palaces and mansions of past magnificence) whose "loomy groups of plumes above could

hardly have been calculated to lull an imaginative mind into peaceful slumbers. In Fig. 2, one of the handsome brocaded capes is* shown, with the second of the two feather novelties referred to. Tin.; consists of a high collar, and double edging down tho fronts, composed of small black" ostrich tips. These brocades are very lovely and picturesque-looking, and make charming capes. The one in our sketch has an electric-blue ground with a black velvet pattern, and with this the black tips blend well and effectively.

The die is cast, and however much we may regret it, tho long triumphant blouse must bo relinquished at last by those who •wish to bo considered smart and modish. Tight-fitting bodices of similar material to

[the skirt are now considered tho sine qua »io>i, and with these arc found some new and very pretty Louis XV. embroideries, with coloured silk grounds under contrasting network embossed with coloured silk flowers. A novelty in peltry I recorded last winter is resumed this year, namely, leopard skins for vests, collars and rovers, muffs and cuffs, It is in a way handsome, of course, and exclusive, though scarcely becoming. In Fig. 3 it is introduced as vest and turn-down collar to an autumn gown of brown military cloth, with rovers and cuffs of brown velvet. Tho jacket to this costume, is cut with a smart, short basque; the skirt quite plain, and a toque of brown velvet, gold passementerie, brown quills and a cache-poigne of yellow roses completes a distinguished toilette. There seems a great rage in Paris for military cloth of the exact consistency of that used for the soldiers'coats there. It is made of similar colours to the uniform jackets, but several others have been added, and if is used chiefly for smart jackets braided a la Militaire, though many tailor-made gowns arc also built of it.

This is an era for the unconventional, the ilaring, and surprising in dress, so the latent idea of decorating fur garments with diamond or paste buttons or buckles will appear no more incongruous than trimming them with lace as last season. ItOSELI.E,

Miss L. 11. Denholm, daughter of Mr I ,*/. Dcnholm.ono of the oldest residents of the Port, Napier, was married la>t week to Mr If. .J. Dull at the Port Presbyterian Church.