ITEMS FOR LADIES

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXI, Issue 6365, 29 March 1889, Page 2

ITEMS FOR LADIES

Extreme simplicity of form characterises all evening toilettes; matrons young and old effect richness of material, but unmarried ladies under thirty prefer plain, soft materials and an almost girlish simplicity is the result.

In Paris boys are wearing a kind of blouse, just like a Norfolk jacket, except that the shirts or basques are long enough to nearly reach the knees. Beneath this is a pair of full knickerbockers reaching just beneath the knee. It is a warm and pretty winter suit,

French jet ornaments are becoming all the rage in London. They are brilliant and beautiful, and are used in a variety of ways for the hair.

The rules of fashion .admit of none but real lace for the chemise, but-allow oi imitation lace for drawers and petti, coats.

Green is the leading colour, next to uhich a variety of red shades is worn, as well as grey. Some lovely blue grey tints are shown iu plain and fancy woolens, as well as velvets, failles, and that almost everlasting fabric, Iriali poplin, which is receiving much favour just now.

The newest thing in the way of perfumeries is the scent pencil. It is enclosed in a metal holder, with a ring at. tached tor appending to the watch chain or chatelaine, which, when rubbed on the skin or any substance, emits a delicate flavour. The pencil is composed of solid ified perfume.

Empire dresses only look well on ladies of slender make, and they are not suitable for outdoor wear.

Unquestionably, smallhatsand bonnets are correct. By this it is not quite small models, but moderately close-fitting shapes, which set upon the head comfortably and permit the wearing of a veil.

There is a decided tedency in favour of brocaded ribbons, particularly those worn in two shades of one colour or "i stripes of two or three shades or colours. In a l ' probably strings u ill be worn as intermittently as heretofore, rather narrow ribbon velvet being preferred for tliemor else striped or plain faille. Many of the new gowns are nearly, if. not quite, destitute of drapery, the back being finished with a wide sash of moire or faille ; still, for this style thoroughly good and substantial material are re quired., Therefore (saysLe Moniteur de la Mode,) it is not surprising that draperies still hold their own, for they are seen in most varied forms, but generally quite deep, to form, in fact, quite a second shirt draped in many artistic ways, to suit the various materials now shown. Braid and silk gimp trimmings are manufactured in an immense variety for borderings to dresses, or many of the new dress lengths are to be had wi}h woven borders, and these naturally require no trimming, and are, therefore, both economical and novel.

Porcelain flowers are a favourite novelty for dining table decorations. They are made in all sizes and colours, singly as well as in sprays, and bunches mixed with real foliage, by which latter addition endless variety and novelty of effect is attained,

The refiemeut and elegance of underclothing is carried to an excess by Parisian ladies. Over the chenrse of cambric and Valenciennes lace is worn the corset of satin, black or red for the daytime ; white, cream or pale pink for the evening. The under-peticoat is of slightly quilted silk, matched to the corset and trimmed with white or black lace, The over-skirt .is quite as elegant, if not more so, than'the dress itself.

All immenco number of the new woollen materials are woven with cashmere designs in bands, cither across the material or along one selvedge ; some havo a grand wide band, and others have a series of graduated bands, the lowest one forming a wide border, and these make excellent tabliers for tall figures, but, as strips across always have the effect of shortening the figure, they are the best avoided by those who are not tall oi their inches. Harma violets is said to be the most fashionable perfume in London this winter, . . . , Scotch plaid ribbons are modestly try-' itig to win their way in London, though as yet the public is rather inclined to reject their claims to favour.