Boudoir Gossip on Frocks AND Fashions

Observer, Volume XI, Issue 752, 27 May 1893, Page 14

Bo udoir Gossip on Frocks AND Fashions

(By Gladys.)

We have been favoured with delightful weather during the past few days, and it does really seem a pleasant change after the dull, damp weather experienced lately. The clear, bracing air renders all outdoor excercise a pleasure, and to remain indoors appears not only impossible, but almost a crime. Shopkeepers benefit by the change, and the drapery establishments in particular, which are daily thronged with customers * selecting and purchasing seasonable finery. Amongst the newest walking costumes I have observed lately are : Mrs T. Morrtn, perfectly fitting black cloth gown, the skirt lined with black Bilk, the lining being finished with a ruche of silk, stylish crushed strawberry and black hat and handsome fur boa; Miss Slator, pietty green costume, Scarborough hat; her sister wore a beautiful grey corduroy gown made with zouave, creme silk blouse, black hat ; Miss Baker, navy blue skirt and jacket, white blouse and sailor hat; Mrs Alison, rich black silk gown, trimmed with jet," black hat with ostrich tips; Miss Wickbam, pretty dark brown costume, stylish hat to match ; Mrs Workman, well-made tweed costume, bonnet to match ; Miss Workman, neat navy blue costume ; Miss Wood looked nice in navy serge, black hat; Mrs Butt, black serge skirt and jacket, white blouse and neat little hat; Miss Howard, Btylißh light brown tweed gown, hat to correspond; Miss Hardy, pretty fawn dress, black jacket, and pretty little hat ; Mrs A. H. Nathan, well-fitting navy serge costume, hat to correspond ; Mrs Morrison, elegant green cloth costume with bodice in contrasting shades, stylish hat with ostrich tips, strings of velvet ; Mrs Donald, stylish gown of plaid tweed and pretty hat ; Miss Gordon and Mrs Jos. Ansenne both looked well in navy blue, hats to match ; Miss Haliday looked stylish in navy blue, leather boa, and pretty hat.

Cuffs worn outside the sleeves are among the new fancies, and are shown in lace, linen and kid, while with outing gowns the kid cuffs are chosen to match a lace corselet of the same.

The most popular wrap Is undoubtedly the cape, and prominent among these is the becoming and stylish cape in velvet, with the top showing a narrow border of fur. Many of the most original models of this wrap show three capes at the top above the three-quarter length of the longest one, which falls almost to the knees. Quite a number, however, do not extend so low, and while the longer seems to be generally preferred now, it is quiet confidently predicted that the spring will bring in a short model, having like the present, three capes edged with a narrow band of mink, sable, silver or black fox, or of feather trimming. Be this as it may, the cape carries the day, having for its only formidable rival the beautiful and stylish jackets, which are enonghto tempt any purchaser, however indifferent, trimmed as they are with fur, and with yokes of velvet or passementerie.

Striped, corded and ribbed materials for dresses are very fashionable, and in shot materials most effective. Sleeves continue to be as dressy as ever and in the latest gowns the puff droops slightly, though they grow in width accordingly. Capes are extremely fashionable and the cloth cape with short frilled top edged with narrow fur is the newest. Street gowns are quiet in colour, and cut short, while the corsage is brightened by sleeves and guimpe of velvet or silk of a contrasting colour. Fashionable and durable skirts are of fine black silky alpaca, trimmed with a deep ruffle and edged with braid or narrow lace. They shed the dust, and are as suitable for rainy days as th6y are for fine weather.

Undoubtedly we are returning to the 1825 and 1883 periods for ideas as to millinery, and these old-new styles are vastly

becoming, the favourite shape just now being that known as the ' poke-bonnet.' These quaint fashions bring in their train plumes without number, paste buckles, and ribbons galore, while moßt of the brims show an underlining of rich velvet, and even cap frills of lisse or* dainty rosettes to rest on the hair. Felt hats are also worn and narrow fur trimming, and a kind of ospreya are much used. Fawn felt trimmed with golden brown velvet is exceedingly stylish, also fawn and grassgreen, while for dark tan felt hats, green velvet seems the leading trimming. Large velvet bows in every colour, also handsome bows of fancy or plaid ribbon are shown by the leading drapers for millinery purposes. Narrow velvet strings are added to the large hats, while in falls the latest novelty is a chenille border. Fine black net, either plain or in fancy patterns are worn for veils.

The Anne of Austria collar, wbioh turns away at the neck leaving the throat exposed, is popularly used for dinner and theatre gowns. Venetian point, Honiton, and ducbesse lace are in vogue for these which are almost invariably becoming.