A GLIMPSE AT MELBOURNE FASHIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2103, 14 June 1894, Page 47

A GLIMPSE AT MELBOURNE FASHIONS.

Dear Emmeline. — It is astonishing how much can be seen in one day in Melbourne if you know where to go and what to look at. We only had three days to spend in the marvellous city, and after visiting the zoo, the picture galleries, and various shows, we determined to spend one of our precious mornings in studying the fashions. Fortunately it was a Saturday, and w e started off early to get our shopping done first so as to have plenty of time left to " do the block." The first thing that struck us was the absence of that smart dressing for which Melbourne folks have always been remarkable.

" Why, the girls look quite dowdy to what they used to," remarked my companion, "and there are not half so many buttonholes and silk hats to be seen amongst the men."

It is quite tiue ; the bad times have at last begun to affect the fashion of dress. People have not money to waste on buttonholes, and those who previously went to the races in silks and satins have to be content with serge or tweed. But some of the tweeds are really very pretty, and certainly nothing can be more useful than one of these serviceable tailor-made gowns. Hopsac is very fashionable, bat you don't get the wear out of it that you do out of tweed, and in these bad times everyone tries to get the most they can for their money.

One of the most fashionable articles of dress this winter is the velvet blouse, and if you want to be quite up to date you should make yourself one. They can be worn with any skirt, and are warm as well a* smart,

Four yards of velveteen will just cut it (velvet is too expensive). The sleeves are made very full at the top, narrowing towards the wrist ; the collar is composed of horizontal folds, the fronts are gathered at the neck, but not too full, and the basque can be cut long or short, pointed or round, just as you prefer. A nice belt of the same encircles the waist, and for a slim figure nothing can be more becoming. A crushed strawberry tweed with blouse of blotting paper coloured velveteen and toque to match was very fetching ; so also was a bottle green costume with velveteen blouse of the same shade, brightened with a tiny cord of gold braid. We had a good look at the jackets and mantles in Buckley and Nunn's window. Tight-fitting jackets with fall skirts predominated. These certainly look nicest on the wearers, the three row 3of braid at the waist seeming to give a trimness to the figare whioh is very desirable. Capes are still worn, bat much shorter than .of yore. Tan colour, trimmed with black braid, is the fashionable shade, both in jackets and capes. The coat jacket is one of the most popular styles this winter for a walking costume. It fits close to the figare at the back, and is cat with f nil basque, and large revers opening in front to show a tight-fitting waistcoat of some contrasting colour. The waistcoat opens at the neck, disclosing a collar and a tie. The style is rather masculine, and when combined with a very short skirt a&d gaiters, as we saw it this morning, it looks more adapted for mountaineering than for doing the block. However, every one to their tastes, and it seems to be quite a common thing now for women to ape men's costume. To look at the bonnets which are worn this winter one cannot help thinking tbat neuralgia will be very prevalent while the present fashion lasts, for the fashionable bonnet is nothing more than a piece of jet, a bow, and an aigrette. The jet is set far back on the head, showing all the fringe, and a bow of some coloured velvet or ribbon is perched like a butterfly right at th 6 back, from the oentre of which rises an aigrette. The jet shapes may be bought for 2s 6d each, so anyone with clever fingers can easily manufacture a bonnet of this description. They are rather becoming too, especially to tall folk who want to take off a little from their height. The Empire tie is quite new this season. It consists of a huge bow with a buckle in the centre and two long ends reaching almost to the bottom of the dress. Moire, satin, or velvet ribbon is used. These bows in black watered ribbon brighten up a black costume wonderfully, and in light colours make a dainty addition to any dress. They cost 6s 6d if you buy them ready made, but could be manufactured at home for much less.

In millinery violets are very much used combined with all sorts of colours. Buckles are the most popular ornaments for headgear, And toques the most fashionable Bhapes.

Children's frocks are made very long, and unless the little mites are really ( pretty they look rather dowdy. Picturesque children with flowing carls and rosy cheeks look very quaint when dressed in the old-fashioned short bodices, long skirts, and Dutch bonnets, but commonplace, straight-haired little girls are rather to be pitied when their mothers strive vainly to make them look as if they had stepped ont of .a picture.

Flannelette is being very much worn, and can be had in all sorts of patterns for blonses, skirts, or underwear. We saw some sweetly pretty black and white checks, which would do beautifully for ohildren's school frocks, and was only 8d a yard. There were other patterns for dressing gowns which were capital imitations of the Paisley shawl, and there were some very pretty scarlet and black stripes, which were just the thing for underskirts.

But by the time we got to the flannelette it was nearly 1 o'clock, so we only had time to rash through Cole's Book Arcade and have a look at the models of Coolgardie nuggets before we had to leave to catch our train and hasten home to lunch. — Yours truly, OIGABETTB.

(£7* [Douriptlom of balli, *•„ mast be endoried by eltbtr he Witncis oorrenpondent for the diitriot or bj the leoretuy to tho ball mmmlttea. The US. of any oorreipondenU -who do not comply with thii rale will ba unt to the leoretary for endorsement prior to appearing.— KMMELlNE.l t.j ennus »nklioation In the ftrthoomlng lune letteri ihonld reaoh tho Wltneu oflloe if posßlblo on Saturday night, but on no account later than Monday nic&t. WEDDING AT INCH CLUXHA. Dear Emmeline,— On the afternoon 6f Tuesday, sth inst., a wedding took place between Miss Grace Rutherford, only daughter of Mr James Rutherford, Inch Clutha, and Mr John Clements, of Kaitangata. The Rev. Mr Allan was the officiating minister, and the ceremony was conducted at the residence of the bride's parents. The grandparents of the bride (Mr and Mrs Peter Rutherford) were present at the ceremony. The bride looked very pretty dressed in pale green trimmed with corded silk and lace, and orange blossoms. She was attended as bridesmaid by her cousin, Miss Jennie Sneddon, of Mornington, who looked exceedingly nice in pale pink areas trimmed with, white silk and lace. After the ceremony the guests were entertained at dinner. Unfortunately, it afterwards came on to rain heavily, preventing an anticipated drive. However, a reception was held, and dancing waa indulged in with great enjoyment until an early hour.— A Guest. A WEDDING AT ST. PAUL'S. St. Paul's Cathedral was on Thursday the scene of what the ladies term " a very pretty wedding," the occasion being the marriage of Miss Lizzie 1 Silk to Mr Alfred Theodore Salvesen. The bride (who was given away by the Rev. J. M. Fraser) was handsomely attired in ivory f oule", elaborately trimmed with Brussels lace and cream pearl passementerie trimming, tiara of orange blossoms, and the usual bridal veil. The bridesmaids were Miss G. Silk and the Misses Hunter and Smith (nieces of the bride), the former wearing a dress of heliotrope net and velvet, the latter— two little girls— cream cashmere and velvet, and each a gold bar brooch presented by the bridegroom. After the wedding the guests— from all parts of the district — assembled in the drawing room of the Leviathan, where congratulatory speeches were made by the Rev. J. M. Fraser, Messrs Cowie (of the Rotomahana), William Wright, and others. The presents were numerous and valuable, and included a grand piano and complete house furniture from the mother of the bride, easy chair Miss Gilk, album Mr Norton Taylor, church service Rev. J. M. and Mrs Fraser, album Mr Foster, marble clock from the directors of the Leviathan Company, silver set of fish carvers from the officers of the Rotomahana, silver-mounted salad bowl from Mr and Mrs Scoular, china dinner service from the employees of the Leviathan, afternoon tea service from Mr Ritchie, silver tea pot from Mr Gabriel Hodges, and another from a few of the boarders, silver dinner gong and silver butter dishes from Mr and Mrs Mills (Nenthor n), silver butter dishes from Mrs M'Laren (West Taieri), set of carvers from Mr Proctor, and innumerable other presents. The happy couple left for the Lakes in the afternoon. In the evening the guests were entertained by Mrd Silk, and quite a number of congratulatory letters and telegrams were received from all parts of Otago.