Boudoir Gossip on Frocks And Fashions

Observer, Volume XV, Issue 844, 2 March 1895, Page 14

Boudoir Gossip on Frocks And Fashions

(By Gladys)

Buttons are growing large and bows more numerous. Black velvet collars with ermine edging are now popular. Ribbons are profusely employed as garniture for corsages and skirts. Alastian bow effects in short plumes are among the new hat trimmings. Broad high combs, ot ivory and mother-of-pearl, are worn with the oldfashioned gowns. Skirts still fit the hips closely, but fan out well at the back, where plenty of -fullness is allowed. The newest real pearl necklets are clasped with diamonds at intervals, or are loosely tied in front. The narrowest of white edgings are noy sewed in the waistcoats of fashionable tailor-made gowns. F he materials chiefly employed for dark petticoats are mohair, alpaca, and light-weight black moreen. Gloves of very heavy tan are said, by the shop-keepers, to be more popular than those of any other style. Shiny places can be removed from black cloth or silk by sponging with cider vinegar. Dry in the shade slowly,and do not press. The crushed rose collarette continues in favor for the debutante's neck, and they give an added effectiveness to most youthful toilets. In furs Persian lamb, caracule, skunk, sable, and seal, are considered fashionable, caracule being all the rage, and which is a wavy kind of astrachan. All kinds of dressy fabrics are stylish for girls' best gowns this season, a brightness of tint still prevailing, and figured as well as plain fabrics finding great favour. Koyal blue is the leading colour, and in cloth or velvet looks extremely rich. Brown is also much worn, also blue, grey, magenta, nasturtium colour, Lincoln green, plum colour, olive green, and orange. Fans are all of the Empire period. very small, of filagree silver, worked mother o' pearl or light tortoiseshell, studded with spangles and hand-painted in medallions. Gauze and even real lace fans are spangled . . Shirt waists of cotton cheviot, for girls of fourteen to sixteen are made with a shallow-pointed yoke in the back, with the fullness below the throat, a high collar, turned over or standing, and shirt sleeves with square cuffs. In making over dresses you can use the same things, if of good quality, and if you wash and iron them in such a way that they will not be warped. That is, they must lie perfectly flat. Whalebones are made straight by plunging in boiling water and pressing under a weight. Among the prettiest wash materials are the satin-striped zephyrs, and these are being shown in small check effects, in colours of corn, Nile, light blue, navy, golden brown, heliotrope, lavender pink, cardinal, etc., with contrasting shades introduced in the satin stripes. Bodices continue very fussy in trimmings, and sleeves very full and large, drooping however off at the shoulders, as there is a rumour that long sloping shoulders will come in; but I don't think that will come to pass for many a day, for the fashions of to-day are far too becoming. You should iron all lace and embroidery on the wrong side until perfectly dry. Calicoes that are apt to look too 'shiny ' should be ironed on the wrong side. Do not have the irons very hot for ironing calicoes and figured chintzes, as hot irons will fade and turn the colours more than washing. To clean fine delicate laceSf spread the lace out on paper, cover with calcined magnesia, place another paper over it, and put it away Detween the leaves of a book or other pressure, for two or three days. Then all it needs is a skilful shake to scatter the powder, and its delicate threads are as fresh and clean as when first woven.