ILLUSTRATED FASHIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2501, 19 February 1902, Page 63

ILLUSTRATED FASHIONS.

Dear Emmeline, — There is one very satisfactory point about the modes of this season, if we only give the matter due and fitting consideration, and this lies in the fact that the difference between the fashions of to-day and those of a year agp is hardly perceptible. This circumstance should cause the hearts of the economically-minded ■to rejoice,' and lift a weight of anxiety the minds of all whose dress allowance is perforce a small one, as it means that last year's costume will not need much alteration to 'pass muster this winter. The progress of fashion, so far a3 outdoor g?rments are concerned, has been exceedingly slow, and there have been no startling innovations such as would be likely to render the wearing of last season's skirt an impossibility. Even in the world of millinery the same modes prevail with comparatively few variations, and the latest models do not differ in essentials from those worn twelve months: ago. They are as wide and flat as ever, with the brim bent over the face in front, and finished at the back by a bow and ends of lace or velvet. The every-day hat Jor morning or. even afternoon irear among the smartest dressed women is either the rough-surfaced "flopping" felt shape, I>ent and twisted to suit the wearer's - fafte,and trimmed with choux of coloured ribbons or clusters of\ flowers, or the tricorne set "well "forward over the face, with

a velvet-bound brim and a couple of feather pom-poms as trimming. The pretty hat sketched is a pale grey zibelme. the boft brim picturesquely crumpled and trimmed inside with shaded pink and crimson roses. Outside was merely a twist of black velvet round the crown, finishing in a bow in the centre -back. Flowers are as much used on winter hats as they have been on mmirier one's, 'arid really, when one coine3 to think 3f it, it only seems fit and proper that such -should '-be -the case, -as thera 'are more* need of the cheering" influence of flowers during 'the gloomy months of winter than when the real blossoms are to be seen on all sides when summer smiles upon "us. There are some very lovely toques of autumn foliage, oven the crimson berries of the holly making a charming contrast to 4he prickly leaves ot the same plant en some of the specimens of millinery which have only just made their debut. Of course, in euch instances little or no trimming is required, everything depending on the artistic arrangement of the foliage. This ■was particularly the case in connection with a charming toque of shaded geranium leaves, wliirti v>- wn~n wi»li excellent effect ny a tall brunette gowned in a dark cloth costume aud uaaiii.g ;i set of really magnificent aable*.

The princesse gown is still much in evidence, both for lay. afternoon, and evening wear, and is admirably adapted for showing off the graceful curves and lines of a «ood figure. The pretty evening gown

depicted is of emerald-green velvet, trimmed with bands of chinchilla and some old lace. Another princesse gown worn by a very fashionable lady was of soft, grey, smoothsurfaced cloth, and with it was worn a bolero, muff and toque of chinchilla, the toque and muff having a touch of soft colour in the small bunches of violets trimming them. It \vas worn by a small, elegant -woman, who is already renowned in the ■world of fashion for tho successful style in which 6he nuts her things on. Chin-. efoilla is again a very fashionable fur, and xievei looks so well as when intermingled vith • ohlsfcin or black velvet. The long tjesqued- fcouis 'coat still bids highly for popular adoption, but lias not as yet generally, "caught on," although handsome specimens arc- tp be seen occasionally in various lands of fur. These coats are by no means •jo be worn by everyone, as they require a particularly graceful figure and deportment, out when they are worn by a person with a suitable figure they are extremely charming.

In my illustration is shown the latest filing in fashionable muffs, which are in

as the toque which is. to accompany them. In this one velvet, lace, and fur are intermingled, together with a pretty buckle of ornamental description. Among the newest trimmings for cfocti gowns will be found woollen lace and woollen embroideries, es-

peeially when appliqued in soft colours on to white woollen materials such as serge or frieze. White, putty colour, oi pale grey is considered very chic for afternoon wear this seacon, and it is wonderful how long even these pale tints will keep clean if treated with care and consideration. Corduroy has been smiled upon by votaries of fashion, and it looks especially wel' tfoth in mouse-brown and smoke-grey tints. More practical for everyday use are the flaked friezes and herring-bone tweeds, which are to be seen on all sides in every possible tone of colouring. A charming gown I Baw worn by a bride was of grey frieze, with the skirt and bodice (which was made Russian blouse fashion) trimmed with bands of stitched grey satin of a 3lightly lighter tint than the dro&3 itself, which was of ? rather dark tone of grey It was worn with a grey. «oft felt hat trimmed v/ith autumn-tinted foliage. — Yours truly. COQUETTE.