LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1290, 19 November 1896, Page 15

LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Regent street, September 5. Sd many weddings are arranged for the lovely summer months, more taking place in these months probably than in any other of the year. Those of our fair readers who are not contemplating playing the leading part in one of these joyful occasions may very likely be preparing to assist as bridesmaid, and I have, therefore, sketched—as likely to be useful —in Fig. 1 a very effective bridesmaid's hat, just

A Bridesmaid’s EDI. designed by one of our smartest milliners, The°brim is of pure white fancy straw, and is broad and shady, casting a very becoming reflection by its transparency oyer the face. The full crown, caught in the centre by a pearl and paste brooch,, and undulating in folds round the edge, is of white satin, in each fold of satin a. big yellow king-cup, and its leaves nestling ; and at the back completed.by fan-bows of white tulle and white ostrich feathers. Collars and throatlettes are quite one of the features of this season’s dress. The chiffon, lace, tulle and flower ruffs I have some time since referred to; in direct opposition to which are the low cut throats for more dressy occasions.

A Stylish Bodice.

In Fig. 2 I give a stylish bodice which introduces another new stylo of collar, and also one of the most up-to date modes for sleeves. The material is a delicate shade of grey alpaca, with a small dotted pattern on it of shot pink, the collar, rovers and waist piece being faced with shot grey and pink velvet. The jacket is cut, it will be noted, on Bolero lines, and is worn oyer a full pouch bodice. The sleeves are fitted closely to tlio arms with double capelettes from the shoulders half way to the elbows, and throat, and wrists are finished by dainty iaco rutiles. Another taking toilette is sketched in Fig. 3. This is composed of shrimp-pink alpaca ; the skirt quite plain, the bodice very full, and drawn in at the waist by a thickly sequined belt of the same ; from under which a very full, short bask emanates. The sleeves are of the new gauged description, to the shape of the arm, met by long, cream gloves. The cape is composed of cream guipure lace, striped with tiny green sequins corresponding with

those on the belt; and is further trimmed bv loops of shot green and pink satin ribbon coming from under the broad collar over the shoulders. Tire hat is a cream tuscan, trimmed with green and pink shot ribbon and pink roses. The parasols this summer —strangely enough, when all else is so fussy and over lavish in dress matters —are less fussy than last year, and appear to be mainly plain silk with stripes going round.

A Charming Toilette for Promenade.

The gowns at the last Drawing-room were probably the most magnificent and costly seen for rrjany seasons. The most exquisite satins and silks were almost hidden by embroideries of gold and silver, studded thickly with jewels, and supplemented by showers of loveliest old lace, and profusions of ostrich plumes scattered over skirts and trains. The bouquets and flowers alone were worth seeing, showing a quite exceptional perfection of form and colour. The Court dress worn by the Duchess of Connaught, as representing the Queen at the coronation of the Czar at Moscow, had a train of three to four yards ofmiroir satin shot with pink and tileul,. magnificently embroidered with gold, silver, and coloured silks in lines and sprays of flowers and leaves, and lined with sunset satin.

Roselle.