HINTS ON FASHION. (Compiled for the Otago Witness.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1419, 1 February 1879, Page 33

HINTS ON FASHION. (Compiled for the Otago Witness.)

Ode of the greatest whims of the moment in Paris jusfc now, is the complete desire to wear nothing but travelling dresses in the street. It must be here remarked that they are of the greatest elegance, and as such, I will describe a couple : The first then is a short i ourseam of black satin fringed with chenille round the bottom, a terry velvet jacket, very tight and very long, black veltoguer bent down in the crown, with three feathers at the side.

The second is of green cloth, made with plaited skirt, coat and waistcoat trimmed with gilt buttons, each button bearing a different motto; green felt hat with brim covered with green velvet, and a large green feather surrounding tbc crown. A third I might mention, is of a striped Pekin skirt, with long waistcoat, a pretty white carrick, and a white lace cravat round the nee 1 !. Rembrandt hat* with nv.merons feather*, hair short, with flit curls over the

In trimmings, there ia jet for silk dresses, lace for heavier materials, sucb as silk cloth, dauphino natte, an<l black marabouts, and ostrich feathers for velvet. The most novel and newest jewellery is Scandinavian jewellery. It is of silver, aud its riiifes and bracelets are not fastened together in the centre, bub represent a cord with the ends bent over one another ; it thus Btretches according to the size of tho finger or waist and consequently never becomes too small for the wearer. The Dame given is either Scandinavian or Barbarton jewellery. Crinolines are again most certainly creeping into existence, out they have not yet obtained their new title, considering the strong aversion held out.

The prettiest material for a winter^ costume is the mossgreen plush, for it is excetdingly warm and becoming, needing no trimming, a little fall or other fringe, nothing more. Nothing yet to hand is so beautiful. Of this material, here is a Louis XIV. c< s tunae : A skitt of moss green silk, brocaded with blue aud grenade flowers j a couple of grenade satin plaitings trim the hem of the skirt; with this an over-dress of grenade cashmere open in front, and loiped up at the back ; a brocaded waistcoat and a cashmere coat with grenade satin tabs under the cashmere tabs, andsurpassing them a little. Green is the prevailing colour under all circumstances, For an elderly lady here is a skirb of silver cloth trimmed with flakes of moss-green ribbon, silver ribbon, and tosettes of lace, with a small rose in the n.idst of each rosette. Overdress of green brocade lace, rosett9 and rose in the hair. For usual wear, plain cloth and cashmere, and fancy woollen materials being mostly checks, stripes, or brocades. Sleeveless waistcoatß of brocaded velvet threaded with gold are much worn, for they serve to "wear out" an old drees whose body is passed wear, yet whose skirt may be quite good. These waistcoats or jackets are made very long and as tightly fitting as the tightest fitting cuirasse body. They have large pockets at the sides, which gives them a very showy appearance. There is great luxury in buttons, being both artistic and valuable, and made of gold, silver, steel, or Rhins or Scotch pebbles. Moire" is again in fashion ; it is to replace brocade. The principal colours this year are grenade, sapphire, bronze, myrtle, moss wood, marine blue, stone gold, ripe wheat, &c.