A Statable Trousseau.

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 73

A Statable Trousseau.

("Rita," In the Melbourne Weekly Times.)

The trousseau of the Princess Marie Bonaparte ie generally acclaimed as "something like a trousseau." It contained/ exquisite marvels of lingerie and lace. This is what is said about it : — i A Parisian lady who was privileged to ! inspect some of the lingerie ordered for Princess Marie Bonaparte's £60,000 trousseau say& ehe was so overcome with the glory of it all that she forgot about her lunch and also about a taximeter motor oab that was in waiting for her at the door. She says that in the matter of underwear the Princess shows great enterprise and independence of taste, which if there is anything in. heredity, should be a characteristic of her race. Novelty does not alarm her. She is apparently quite willing to be a pioneer and launch any ne,w creations that may suit her taste. Suffice -it to say that the Princess's underwear is such as. to baffle description. One item, is a silk slip intended to be worn beneatb/'The- tight-fitting princess gowns of the season, which; suit young brides' 6gures to perfection. ■ This underelip fits ,the figure like a ' glove, being carefitlly w»nl<a<j4 to kip a»<l bust, and flowing full and wide below the knees, where it Is decorated with a richly trimmed flounce. .This does not sound! complicate^,, and, indeed, it is simplicity itself; but it had to be invented^ and *ach Slip costs £16. Tao same t4ea is also carried out in £o$ lace and lawn, with wonderful and vaporous effects. Numerous underwear ( garments are trimmed with rich Venetian point, and the same matertaris responsible ] for Some truly imperial nightclressfia. J

Glancing through the piles of these fas- " cinating garments one is bewildered at the variety of design. They exhibit the Parisian lingeres who built them as I artists. Sometimes Venetian point is used in combination with other laces. There are fine and delicate Valenciennes, foiming incrustations beneath the dcoolletage of the Venetian. There are exquisite pieces of Biussels lace set off with superb embroidery in the lawn foundation of the garment, and each combination seems more beautiful than the last.

The same fertility of imagination is shown in every section of this important part of the trousseau. New ways havebeen found where the last word seemed to have been said long years a.go. The lingerie alone has cost £l&Y000, and will, to the feminine part of the public, be found worth a pilgrimage to see. Anyone who has plenty of money to spend on a trousseau will find in this gossif hints for spending it, or if she be bent on sensation, something to emu--late.