THE LADIES

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 58, 22 October 1881, Page 89

THE LADIES

[We shall be glad to receive from lady contributors descriptions of new walking costumes, ball dresses, &c, which are worn in Queen - street or at social re-unions ; also particulars of any very striking dresses worn m the Waikato, at the Thames, or in other totras where the Observer circulates. All communications considered strictly confidential. Address — Editor of Observer, Auckland.] Ouji Lady Correspondent in London writes, under date September Btli :— "After a careful consideration of the closed shuttors,empty streets andsquarcs, and the immense reductions at wliicli the shops are selling off their summer stock, I have come to the conclusion that the fashionable world is at last finally gone for its holiday. 'Such dresses as I saw before its departure were of course for travelling or country use, and therefore very plainly made, without silk of any sort, or anything that would spoil with rain. The artistic had generally the much -advertised Umritza cachemire, in dark Indian rods, sapphire blues, or chocolate browns. The bodices were, as a rule, much gathered with silk in a brighter shade, in the style called honeycombing, all round the neck, aboixt two inches at the waist, and two inches on the sli'ove, which is formed of one large puff from shoulder to elbow, and tight-fitting from the elbow to the wrist. The skirt of a socalled artistic dress is made long and quite plain, or rows of braid, and looped up on one or two

button.'? outside, at. the buck. More ordinary mortals, who do not, possess a graceful figure, or prefer the neat walking dress style, ■wear riding cloth, ■which is made in bcatiful shades, but very expensive, or heather mixtures of all colours. Some exceedingly pretty costume dresses have come out lately that would look tcvt well for early Spring, while it is still too cold to leave off woollen materials. These were of tweed (French make), with a border about four inches deep, like an Indian shawl pattern. These would make very good Sunday or calling dresses. Silk is hardly ever -worn now in the day time, except in black satin do Lyon. Mantles of black brocade continue to be worn on dress occasions, and, if not much trimmed, look always handsome and lady-like. For evening, watered silks are gaining ground rapidly, and seem likely to last. They are made in all the most delicate shades and mixed with soft materials, even in small quantities, add a look of distinction to a dress. Watered ribbon is also much used for the large bows worn on hats or bonnets, or for children's sashes. It is unusual, and not quite considered good taste, I fancy, to wear a large quantity of artificial flowers on a ball dress. Shoes, gloves, and stockings to match are still cle rif/ueur for the evening ; and black stockings, with tan-coloui'ed gloves, for the day."

■ — Owing to prolonged ill-liealtli and other causes " Tlic Duchess" finds it impossible to continue contributing to the Observer, and in future the ladies department will be looked after fey " Eva," " Countess Kate," and others. Eegular contributions cordially invited, and will be paid for when lip to the mark. — Black lace hats will be very fashionable this summer. — Everyone should visit the photographic studio of Mr Josiah Martin. His new portraits on platinum form an era in the annals of jjhotography. They are as soft and clear as an oil painting by an old master, and the pose is remarkably good. Some are exquisitely tinted by Mr Trevithick, and some by Miss Stewart. — The season of dancing is nearly over, and the season of lawn tennis and boating is about to begin. There can be no more healthy amusements for a girl than rowing and lawn tennis, both open the chest, expand the lungs, and give free play to the too much unused muscles. Bow-

ing, of course, can only "be available to .those who. live by the sea, but lawn tennis is now pretty general. Parnell possesses a splendid ground, which is within easy reach of Newmarket, Epsom, and Remuera. Let every materfamilias give a smiling assent, and send all her young crew rolling to the first meeting of the lawn tennis club, it will save many a doctor's bill. Ponsonby should bestir herself, and, emulating the example of the eastern suburb, procure for herself (which she easily might do) a suitable ground, the rest would easily follow. What more delightful play for a girl on a Saturday afternoon than a good stirring game at lawn tennis ? WhaJ; do you say, Mr Devore, Mr Masefield, and Mr Upton ? — The children's dresses of the present day are really very pretty. They offer no obstruction to the free use of the limbs, they are graceful, suitable, and altogether charming. We give two children's dresses which we saw lately in town, and which appealed to our taste very much. The first was that of a young damsel of about four years, very fat, and very fair, (but not forty), her dark brown hair was cut straight across her forehead, and a pair of clear blue eyes looked out on a world which still was paradise for her. Her little Mother Hubbard dress was of pale blue oatmeal cloth, her bonnet was of blue silk, the stockings which encased those fat legs were also pale blue, and her gloves were cream silk. It was a vision of pale blue, of dark brown, of dimples, and of rose colour, and the tout ensemble was " fetching." The second vision was a little older, a little slighter, and a little darker. She wore a princess dress of ruby coloured velvet, trimmed with silk of the same shade, her stockings were of ruby silk, with high boots, and a coquettish white bonnet almost hid her bewitching little face.