Boudoir Gossip on Frocks and Fashions

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 922, 12 September 1896, Page 21

Boudoir Gossip on Frocks and Fashions

(By Gladys).

To have the silk waist match the lining of the jacket of the suit' is a fancy of the present. Black kid, treated with gold sequins and turquoise and emeralds, forms some of the smartest belts. I The most fashionable boot for street ! wear is kid, and has a patent leather tip I and a heel of medium height. A delightful evening blouse is of black chiffon with bretelles of brocaded white ribbon ; rosettes at waist and shoulder. An excellent way to lengthen and renovate a skirt which is worn about the bottom is to stitch Hercules braid at the edge, and it forms a neat and pretty finish. U The fashionable evening slipper is made to match the gown, of the same material, and the ugly pointed toe is supplanted by one of more reasonable proportions. Many velvet and plusli capes are ornamented with flowers painted on the material in tones of gold or brown. A favourite design is with the stems running into the collar seam, the blossoms hanging downwards. Small coats of velvet will be the thing to wear for afternoon dress in the spring, when furs are supeifluous, and, like the useful silk waist, they can be worn with various skirts, while dark green, brown, and black, are the most desirable colours. The bands of tulle or ribbon terminating in a bow in the back, which are worn around the throat with evening frocks, are most becoming, for a woman must have a fanltless throat and shonlders to wear a decollete gown, while many women who have good necks find this mode infinitely less severe, and consequently more charming, as the tulle is especially softening to the complexion. Light colonxs prevail in the majority of dressy capes, and they are made of white lace, net, and chiffon over coloured silk trimmings, and do not even have the appearance of warmth, though they aie extremely dainty and especially pretty over thin gowns. More -useful capes, however, of thin materials are made of black Brussels net, chiffon, or point d'esprit lace over black or coloured silk lining, while knife-plaited ruffles of 'the siJkare set in around the edge. Short full capes, lined with shot silk, are to be very much worn, both in embroidered grass lawn and black striped gauze and brocaded grenadine, with deep gathered frills at the edge These frills are I again bordered with narrow ruches of satin or gauze. Black capes in brocaded silk are trimmed with accordion pleated frills of Honiton applique laid on in scrolls or stripes, and the neck, as in all fashionable capes, is one mass of frills, ruchings and ribbon loops. Jewelled gloves is the latest freak of Dame Fashion The eccentricity ema nates from the Parisian jeweller, whose one aim in life is that of devising some new use for gems. The stones are fastened on the seams at the back of the hand, and are held in place by means of a small nut attachment. The favourite gems used are diamonds, rubies, pearls, and emeralds, care being taken to secure a pleasing contrast to the colour of the glove. The wearing of gems, according to jewellers, has never been so widespread and extensive as at the present time. While a year or two ago it was considered badform to wear any but the plainest jewels, the other extreme will soon be reached, and the jewels will be worn in ways never before thought of. Like every other fashion which originates in Paris, the fad of wearing diamond- backed gloves has crossed the English Channel, arid a few of the more daring English leaders of fashion have promptly had jewels set in the backs of their gloves.

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