LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1266, 4 June 1896, Page 15

LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Regent street, April 25, I have referred in previous letters to the revival of beaver or silk hats within tho last month or so, and also to the indifferent favour with which most past revivals have been received. The present one seems to bo greeted rather more cordially, and a good many of tho smart dressers arc wearing them. It is the smart contingency only, in fact, who can carry this style of hat off successfully, as in itself it is distinctly ugly; and, in spite of being expensive, has tho undesirable effect of vulgarising all but those rejoicing in a refined or distinguished appearance. In Fig. 1 I show a novel treatment of tho nowest shape in beaver hats, sketched from ono of our best milliner's models. This shape has a crown somewhat on tho lines of the old Tom and Jerry school, or, a coaching hat of the olden time; the crown starting as tho crown of a modern gentleman's chimney-pot hat, but cut short in its career rather more than half way, and verging outwards at the top. The brim is also much tho same as that of tho classic chimney-pot. This, in tho model, was veiled in white llonitou lace, caught on either side of tho front by a tiny paste buckle; and on tho left side tho lace formed a small bow, fastening a group of three black ostrich tips.

Tullo is the latest inconsistency for trimming felt hats; masses of roses, too, and white lace galore; and topsy-turvydom reigns supremo in matters millinery at tho present moment. The hats worn by tho youthful Duchess of Marlborough's bridesmaids wore rather out of tho beaten track. They were royal blue velvet Gainsborough shapes, trimmed with del hluo satin and ostrich feathers—a combination certainly demanding youth and beauty to render it acceptable. It would bo difficult to find a prettier evening dress for a young lady than that sketched in Fig. 2. Tho plain skirt and tight-fitting bodico aro composed of pale pink satin ; the lovely tint peculiar to a La France rose. Tho bodico is veiled in loosely-hanging very pale grey chiffon. Tho sleeves aro of shot pink and grey velvot; tho decolletago and waist being decorated with pale pink roses. A stylish walking costume is tho subject of Fig. 3. It is built of olivo-grcen cloth, and has a waistcoat of black caracul, over which is worn an olive velvot bolero jacket with deep collar and rovers ; a long stole end of velvet falling from a rosette of tho same on either side of tho boloro. A hat of olive-green velvot with jet band and black osprey, and a caracul muff are worn with this smart gown.

I _ A novelty has recently been introduced in velvet collars and cull's which can bo 'worn with most gowns. They are on tho " Squire " lines, but deeper, and aro made in various dark shades of velvet, and edged by a tiny insertion of ecru guipure. Two happy hunting grounds for outdoor attire now, aro Hydo Park before noon, where (since the powers that be have given permission for cycling), the glass of fashion congregates to wheel, or look at others wheeling, and Niagara, which has caught on as vigorously as last year, and is a special resort for tho smart element on Sunday afternoons. Tailor-built gowns aro tho wear, of course, for tho Hyde Park manoeuvres, and a favourite and effective style is a dark coloured cloth with white facings. Skirts, 1 am glad to say, are de rigucv.r, and tho dual terminations exceptional, which was the case amongst tho society wheel-women who showed their prowess —and otherwise—in Battersca Park during the season. Gowns, for skating at Niagara, are by no means restricted to the tailor-mado genus, but embraco most varied materials and styles, Much fur is,

needless to say, pressed into the service—especially chinchilla. Roselle.