LATEST FASHIONS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 47, 1 April 1914, Page 4

LATEST FASHIONS.

PARIS AND LONDON. LONt>ON, February 6. We still have with us supple fashions, loose bodices, wide belts, the whole of the outfit falling more and more vaguely around the figure, floating around the slim silhouette —that is, all there is to see and to be seen for some time yet, as the fashion seems to have a strong tendency for everything that the bust, the waist, and the hips, .It must be noticed, however, that if the silhouette gets enlarged at the upper part, it is, nevertheless, of an extreme narrowness at the feet. Among the dressmaking people who occupy themselves with the coming fashions, there is a question of the revival of the '' poufs,'' and a few of them believe even in the reappearance of the' old circlets (formerly called "tournures"), of which we cannot think without real apprehension. POUFS AND SKIRTS. Here is what is particularly noticeable up to the present. Small drapings rounded in front in the shape of an apron, to finish in a pouf at the back. On the draped skirts are placed superposed tunics in tulle, forming flounces. On a black satin foundation (fourreau) we see a straight tunic in silky tulle forming a. false skirt, fully gathered

around the waist. The edge is trimmed with three finely-pleated frills, one over the other, forming a flounce. This trimming of three pleafted frills is repeated five times from of the tunic to the hip-line, ,on which is disposed a wide sash, with loops and streamers falling behind. The flounces may very well be replaced by bands of fur. This gown, although quite new and smart, is not made Ho refine tlife silhouette, the edge being finished by a circlet, which gives absolutely the effect of the old crinoline. A new shape for skirts is one made in soft silk, with a yoke going down to the hips, and draped on each side in the style of panniers. A large flat pleat, forming a narrow apron in front, is caught in at the waist; it causes the skirt to be shortened up to the ankle in the front, and makes it abnormally prominent. This is far from being graceful. , Plain tailor-mades for walking or travelling have straight skirts or tunic skirts without any drapings. The newest plain skirts are those which are made with a few very flat pleats mounted on a yoke, as winter tissues are a too thick to allow drapery. The new spring tissues will be better for draped tailor skirts. The woollen velvet makes delicious tailor costumes; a few skirts are trimmed with braidings and passementerie buttons.

, FINE LAWN BLOUSES. The fine lawn blouse is' already announced, and fine linen makers are already executing a great quantity of these little blouses, which wfe like so much to wear as soon as the first ray of«. sunshine" appears. They are made in fine linen or lawn, fastening all in front with some pretty, small, ballshaped mother-of-pearl buttons, imitating to perfection native pearls. These bodices atfect the kimono Vshapfe, but greatly modified —very 'wide and loose. The sleeves are made either Jong or short. Long sleeves are made iio. two different pieces, joined either very high at the shoulder line or very low, so as to form simply a long cuff. They are also widely open at the neck, some of them rejjjdd, others in' point. These openings are often edged, as well as the sleeves, with fine plumetis embroikleries and hand-made applique, which also trims the front of the.bodice down to 'waist: Most of them are worn without a collar. Lawn collars arid cuffs will trim the tailor costumes. They are also made in fine i ' lingerie'' (finely worked la\fn), forming a mosaic of lace and embroideries. They are quite rich, especially when made with real lace and hand-made embroideries. —Sydney "Suri."