THE FASHIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1325, 21 April 1877, Page 19

THE FASHIONS.

From Paris there is positively nothing nxedin the'way of fashions, this being the season for change. Winter fashions are oldj '.and the spring ones not yet -divulged, so that the fancy of each individual is left to run riot for a time. One or two things, however, are certain. The Bulgare pleat is dead and buried, and its successors are the peasant and the "religieuse," and it is safe to make spring goods in the princesae shapes, and the different varieties of polonaise, which are good for one more year at least. For theatre or opera wear, the materials most in. vogue are .velvets, plain or embossed, brocades, and embroidered china crape. For ball, dresses, • made largely in princesae style, are white tarlatan and blue faille, the scarf being, of ribbons or of china- -crepe. For promenade, woollens and silks, or cloth, with faille to match ; olive green being much worn. The richest trimmings are of black lace, embroidered with chenille or gold ; plush ribbon, with satin underside, is also very showy, and can be had in all shades and colours. Head .dresses are composed of glossy crepe leaf wreaths, rather than flowers. At the theatre, aa a general rule, this season, jhe coiffures are very plain, mostly the "Ninon,!' with bands "a la Vierge." This- last, however, is only suited to young and pretty faces. Feathers are the j order of the day, the domestic and heathcock's feathers combined being greatly favoured. : Hats are mostly in slate gray, bottle green, or blue felt. The Linden flower ahade is in much request. India shawls are considered indispensable for brides, to-be worn iv making first calls after marriage. r Everything in' the way of feminine apparel is worn as tight as nature can endure.. It is called Henry 11. style. The fashionable smelling bottle worn by ladies is made with handles and in pitcher form. Bouquets are worn on the left shoulder, nithribbonstreamers therefrom. Favoured beans wear the same colour in their cravats aa knights of old wore their colours on their helmets. The new cosmetic is called "Milk of Human Kindness!? i - :- The Association of Hairdressers of Paris held its annual congress in that city, where the prize was accorded to a model, of the Louis XVl.iperiod, a waved fringe falling .over the forehead, the back being Composed; of interlaced loops with thin spiral' ringlets,, terminating in . a bulky: frizzed curl. Pingat, the great rival of {Worth, is making dresses with the habit bodices, short in front' and sloping longer, at the sides, ending, at the' back in a broad square. > This is to be the successor of tha princesse.- Dresses and wrappings, are. much.: in .vogue, fastened diagonally down the front.