LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 2923, 12 September 1896, Page 2 (Supplement)

LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

£ (Front fjur dsn CbfTctpoiidtiii.) ItEdbNf StbEbt, Jiily 2, A very smart hat, which would prove becoming, to almost all is the subiect of my sketch in Fig. 1 this week. It is of felt—for feW lasted longer than UsUdl fliis apflhg; tlie wldto oftes come, to stay tol'.Boiliil indlliiia nehce. The sliapo of this model is something or tne

boat family, but has a more decided crown perhaps, and the back of the brim turns up. The colour is a soft shade of green; and tho trimming consists of fap. howsof green velvet across tho front, with two long pale fawn-coloured wings; and knots of velvet bows at the back where tho brim turns up, two of which may be seen above the crown, as our sketch clearly indicates. I saw another smart chapeau showing tho novel mode of utilising the flower

stalks as part of tlio trimming. The hat is also felt, of a pale fawn colour. It is trimmed with big bows of fawn and violet Pompadour ribbon, and fawn quills in front; and at the back with two large clusters of violets on either side, both on the brim and under it. The flowers are caught firmly together half-way down the stalks, which are then left to stick out spray-like from each cluster. In one of the new plays in London early in the summer, quite tight sleeves were worn in a most stylish ,gown. Personally, I do not believe in the immediate advance into popularity of this sort of sleeve; the frilled epaulette is likely to be called into requisition to soften its outlines, and, indeed, this makes it much more becoming, and can be made either in canvas or in cloth to match the skirt, or in chiffon or net or grass lawn, whichever it may be that forms the foundation to the indispensable embroidered bodice. Blouses are still made, and I sketch a lovely summer one. It is a dainty confection in fine Cambric-blue nainsook, with horizontal insertions of buff-coloured lattice-work and fingerings of the revived “Picot” work laid lengthways down the sleeves and on either side of the broad white satin ribbon simulating a graduated waistcoat. Down the front are natty little rosettes composed of a rather wider make of the buff-coloured “ Picot ” lace, and the bands and bows that enhance the smart ness of this blouse all match the centre pleat. The whole confection, we may add, is made up on a lining of light-blue sateen of a very fine texture, which really answers the purpose of silk capitally.

X have 'lately seen some cyclists with white boots. They look horrid, and remember, .when you take to bicycling you cannot wear either tight stays or tight shoes, or, in fact, tight anything. Boots are liked by many ladies, as they save the ankles from possible knocks against the pedal, &c. My last sketch is designed for spring showers, which come on so suddenly one has no chance to don a cloak before the damp has spoilt one’s gown. It is made in beige cloth .with mother-o’-pearl buttons and turn-down collar in maroon velvet, close-fitting back spreading into godets. I noticed also a very pretty gown of wide-meshed black canvas. The back of the bodies is tucked perpendicularly, and is striped with black satin ribbon, while the front has a yoke of black satin covered with guipure, with kilted chiffon putting in all appearance in the centre, bordered with a broad band of jet. The short basque is headed with a band of the jot again, shaping to a point in the centre, and the skirt of this is out with a very narrow front breadth bordered with the ecru guipure, and full at the hem, but falling closely round the hips. Evening capes are most elaborate. A pink glace silk and frills of rainbow sequins was lovely. Eoselee.