ILLUSTRATED FASHIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 63

ILLUSTRATED FASHIONS.

Dear Emmeline, — Each succeeding week now brings with it gome novelty in the world of dress, and there is more of interest consequently to chronicle in the annals of dress and fashion. The shop windows are full of fascinating goods of every imaginable kind, and the colours this season are, if possible, more alluring and delicately beautiful than ever. Everything in dress tends to•wards a harmonious blending of shades, and though several tones may be employed in the construction of one toilette, they are all in accord. Violent contrasts are considered demode by the followers of Madame la Mode at present, and the dress, hat, gloves, and even shoes in some instances are all in ■unison. One cannot help being struck with the fact of how much is done nowadays to assist the home worker in the construction of her toilettes. Skirts of the latest cut, tucked, braided or embroidered, can be obtained at prices ranging from £1 to any number of guineas, with or without material for the bodice. These require only to be lined and set into a waist band. Lengths of silk of different colours and qualities are also sold ready rucked and veined all complete tor making' up into smart shirt blouses. These are invaluable aids to the amateur worker, who invariably finds great difficulty in keep-

ing the tucks even and at regular distances from each other. One is so apt to go astray in cutting a material which has to be tucked, as it is no easy matter to calculate, the exacs quantity which must be allowed. The smart blouse depicted is made in the latest _ style, ■nd while showing some- tiny tucks is also trimmed with bands of ecru lace, the same lace forming the semi-transparent neckband and cuffs. The material employed is of a delicate green : tint. A . pretty J:iid useful material for blouses is. taffetas, which has atripes of embroidered net or lace inserted "4t intervals of two to three inches. Then

hats or toque 3 nowadays are made of such fanciful materials that they require little trimming, and what they do have can be bought, whether it bo ribbon or flowers, ready to be sewn on.

Ribbons still play an important part in the ccheme of dress, and the patterns and colourings of the newest ribbons form n.u endless variety. One very pretty kind ib patterned with silk-woven roses and foliage on a sort of lace background, while many are rendered exceedingly rich looking by a gold or silver thread running through the whole of the weaving. For evening wear both the first and second Empire modea seem to take precedence, and are generally becoming. The pretty tea gown illustrated is of soft grayish blue crepe de chine, lined with pale pink silk, the softly

falling draperies being caught up at one Bide of the figure above the waist. The collar and yoke are of pale pink satin encrusted with medallions of fine lace, thp loose

sleeves, which come only a short distance below the elbow, hating an edging in the form of a band of the same laoe- appliqued

satin. This fancy for draping loose folds across the figure i-s much in vogue, and some of the smartest opera cloaks for debutantes this season are distinguishpd by this feature. But, indeed, the styles for evening as for day wear are innumerable.

The newest sleeves, if bo they can be called, consist for the most part of merely a ahoulder strap of velvet or flowers with a bouffant drapery of tulle or chiffon falling from the shoulder strap, leaving the top of the arm bare. Another charming variety has a series of points of lace which meet at intervals down the outer part of the arm, the points being held together by small jewelled buckles and tiny knots of black velvet rib!bon. One of the most chic modes for a black 'dinner gown consists of a sort of trellis work 'of gequined or Beaded trimming sewe3 on to narrow black velvet ribbon, the arm showing through the interstices. This mode was employed with happy effect on a white, richly brocaded gown, the sleeves being made of pearl embroidery. The somewhat hard effect was softened by a. slight drapery of tulle. Its charms are eet forth in my sketch. Point d' esprit is a delightful material and

much in request for evening blouses or toilettes, while a wide-meshed variety wifch an applique pattern of black velvet ribbon worked in a bold design is much in vogue. For young girls soft, thin materials of deli-

cate texture such as crepe de chine or mousseline de s-oie are considered correct. Ono of the most notable characteristics of the novelties in dress fabrics is their lightness and suppleness. Of these, perhaps silk voile is the most admirable, as it bangs in soft folds and can be obtained in charming designs oither shot with different colours or checked. The linens, too, which are offered for our wear later on are also a great improvement on the old varieties, and are silky in texture and very glossy and handsome looking. Tl.ese a,re woven for the most part with fancy horde-rings, which are employed for trimming the bodices or as strappings or edgings. Some pin-spotted designs are also very smart and will be much worn — ru j , COQUETTE.