LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2543, 22 June 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

From Oar Cion Correspondent. Regent Street, May 11th. What may be described as the horned stylo of trimming for bonnets continues very popular with the smartest dressed women ; and in the best milliners’ windows ono hardly sees a solitary model without a group on either side suggesting horns, or ears, composed of either velvet, lace, chiffon, fur, llowers, beading, or silk, according to the general design.

This stylo is far from unbecoming, though (to the more conventionally disposed) grotesque. The example given in Fig. 1 is built of a very happy combination of olive green velvet, and chiffon the same shade, artistically arranged for crown, and folds of velvet (only) across the front of the bonnet passing through a long paste buckle in the centre, and terminating at each end in nearly upright fan bows, in front of each fan a posy of snowdrops nestling. The snowdrops might be replaced by mistletoe and small white roses, a combination much affected in Paris just now. There is such a deadly dull monotony about the conventional wedding dress, that the innovation just lately made by an aristocratic bride was quite enlivening. The toilet consisted of a pale fawn-coloured velvet gown, with white satin collar and cuffs, and a small white satin quaker’s bonnet. I imagine the effect must have been exceedingly picturesque and charming. A very stylish and useful cape forms the subject of Fig. 2. It is composed of fawn coloured cloth, lined ‘with pink broohe, and is edged entirely round with fine black braid about an inch wide. Bows of the braid also encircle the whole of the cape at regular intervals, and it is fastened at throat and bust by handsome black cordings.

A novelty recently introduced is the imitation caracul cape. There has certainly been a rage for this fur this winter, but I think it very unlikely it will continue beyond this season. For whole garments it is clumsy, and for trimmings only there are so many furs really prettier; so that on, the whole imitation caracul seems likely to hang fire. It is most stylishly employed in my estimation as waistcoats to coloured cloth tailor-made gowns. With these latter, plastrons are much in vogue just now, either of the same cloth as the gown, piped or braided, or of flat fur, velvet or silk.

Time and the Paris models will reveal whether skirts will stray from the paths of simplicity they have up lo the present moment maintained in spite of various persuasive introductions of the modistes ; at present it scorns more probable that wo shall yet keep the plain skirt with us than otherwise, and we may have good cause to rejoice should it prove so, for there can bo no question as to the additional elegance thus attained They are still cut very full round the hem, the back breadths now being arranged in godets, or organ pleats. A novelty has lately been introduced in satin or silk strappings up the seams, which gives a stylish effect. At the private view of the Exhibition of old masters at Burlington House, some wonderfully stylish and picturesque toilettes were in evidence; a great deal of deep red was worn, many entire gowns and coats of it; some lovely furs, which always so greatly enhance the charms of their wearers; and several largo white felt picture hats, with a profusion of ostrich leathers, were specially noticeable amongst the many enormous black ones. There are some striking gowns, too, to bo seen now at the Haymarkot Theatre, specially Miss Florence West’s green silk, trimmed with groups of black swallows.

A stylish and original tea-gown is the subject of Fig. 8. The robe is of very pale blue liberty silk, and can bo either fully gathered or accordioned into the throat, falling from thence loosely to the feet, but for the bands crossing the bust (and back in similar style), classical fashion. The shoulder capelettes are accordion pleated, and of the pale blue silk, the collar and cuffs being of the same, and the Bishop sleeves, bands and rosettes, or choux, to neck and wrists, are of very deep cigar-brown velvet.

The Earl of Yarmouth recently appeared at an entertainment at the Government House, Tasmania —in aid of the 1 Girls’ Industrial School ’- as a skirt dancer, under the name of Mdllo. Rose. In silken draperies, and golden curls, the earl is said to have proved an immense success, and exceptionally graceful. Roselle.