LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3311, 18 December 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

From Our London Correspondent. Regent street, October 2. There is quite a craze just now for the Turban toque. The Regent street milliners’ windows are liberally filled with them, and the smart wearers thereof are discemable hero, there, and everywhere where fashionables do congregate. Fig. 1 illustrates one of these head-dresses, which are nearly always built of tulle, chiffon, or mousseline-do-soie, and have almost inevitably a Bird o’ Paradise plume on the left side. Our example is of green mous-seline-de-soie, which swathes the small net shape used for these toques to resemble a flattish Oriental Turban. It is all gathered high up on the leftside, where a knot of pale yellow roses and paradise plume finish it; a few more roses being placed underneath, as these toques to be do rigueur must be placed slightly on one side. The discriminating will see at once that these modish confections cannot be worn hap-hazard by any one; it is only the few who can don them with success and they require wearing well by those few. The Paradise plumes have been wonderfully well imitated to meet the demand, otherwise this particular breed of bird would long ago have become extinct: it is rare enough as it is now, A compromise of the time-back Toreador hat is also greatly in favour at the present moment. It is smaller than of yore, and

is worn without tho characteristic scarf tied underneath the brim, and the group of pompoms which formed the only, or almost only, trimming of the hat. In our initial wo have one o£ these up-to-date Toreadors in a black net shape entirely covered with small black sequins, and trimmed by a fan bow of black goffered ehifion and a high aigrete of rose pink ostrich tips. Everywhere but of town, or in town even when dressiness is,not compulsory, the immortal sailor, hat is not only übiquitous once more, but is smart and good style. In Fig. 2 we have a stylish model in tartan plaid silk, the cape collar, sleeve epaulettes, and wrists, are edged by a' narrow frilling of white lace. Tile sleeves are racked or wrinkled. White muslin gowns over coloured silk slips have been a prominent feature of this season, but though really pretty for young girls, they must be considered distinctly exclusive. Forty summers in white muslin, for in-

rtanco, cannot be considered altogether suitable. It cannot either be worn when the least bit soiled or crumpled, and W should be limited to wearing on suitable occasions, arid certainly not in the street as we have several times seen it, when, though the materials have been good, and most ‘ West ’ 'the street, it has suggested a Sunday-school treat, or Bank holiday. It is completely unsuitable for ordinary walking attire. The season is beginning to near its end, and thoughts are beginning tq turn from the endless gaieties and excitements with which we have been perfectly satiated the last two record months, tq “fair, quiet, and sweet rest,;' away from

the dust and din of the town, One jteip in one's wardrobe that 1 always occurs to the mind* .when contemplating this pleasant flight to pastures new—if sea. ward, Is the bathing costume,'since those ancient days when all but the specially particular or modish - were content to disport themselves in the briny attired in a species of linsey pillow case with dual termination. Bed seems likely to be the favourite qo}opr tor gowns, arid as this is acolq'iir not'ohoseh 'as q rule’to escape observation, the gowtm require more than usual careful cutting and making. My, third sketqh shows one of the fewest mddelsfor bathing suits. It is qf fed serge, made with knickers and jacket separate. The former are very full, and pVejihauglng the band -tljoy are gathered into, which qah he above op below the Jmee as preferred. The jacket is gathered fully into the square-cut neck, which; Urjth the sleeyqs, is bordered witj} a hand m white |ctge, 'the* wqisf-band ' being of the seine. ' The jaijket, it hq ijijtioed, js made without opening, excepting 3 short one from the centre of the square neck sufficient to allow of it being passed easily over the head. v. ; ■White “duck" Is being used for the white nits''"so much the^rage., this summer, as well "as pique; both I ,* especially the duck, require* most .careful eetting-un when washed, and i a bad lundress will render." your, qffit '.unweari able the first time of washing. There is no more charming attire, we think, for women |n .summer than - washing gowns, but their simplicity of material is a mask qf deception for expense in washing, h?* ‘-VSih; Wiaw .Itpsupii. , ,» hnaitfjioH