FRILLS OF FASHION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5502, 29 February 1896, Page 3

FRILLS OF FASHION.

• Our old frierid crSpori hy us still, , and^ even velvet has been treated to resemble it, the. pile crushed. into the semblance of creping. This is used extensively for sleeves and millinery in petunia, green, magenta, black, purple, and spme other bright tones. The most fashionable , gowns have plain skirts, full sleeves, and bodices of either white satin or shot silk covered with white ov ecru lace, or the full bodices of the same material as the gown are hidden by a centre box-pleat and collar in contrast. Some oE the very dressy blouses have enormous white silk or satin sleeves covered with black chiffon, forming a contrast to the material employed for the bodice. A stylish costume is of silver coloured cloth, the skirt quite plain, little half long jacket -with basques, and double-breasted, with revers of ivory miroir velvet; it is buttoned on one side with three largo paste buttons, and opened on a plastron of sable with a draped collar. The newest gowns aro being made all in . one — -tliat is, bodice and skirt together. Tlio severity, of Princess style beirig two: trying ■•for' anyone not. possessed of a slender and symmetrical figure, a compromise is effected by haying -the- back in rPrincess ■ style, while ' the front is finished as a•bodice. „ - ..-*.• .: . ..... „.■•:.-, "* . : Very excellent in colour and form is a dove-grey cloth gown, ,the skirt.with a -ti-ipi&.at'i-apping up. the. two front seams and the bodice, with a. perfectly cut, closely-: fitting ..caperlike ... collar of emerald-green: •velvet, having a. design wrought upon it with applique of white cloth, outlined with . white and gold chain stitching. The collar is continued as a kind of loose front to the waist, the cloth being buttoned over it at either side with white enamel and silver buttons. . The dowdy point, in blouses is the waintband where the skirt and bodice unite, fit wants a good figure with the class of skirt now worn not to present too much hip, or too little, or too i much slimness, or too much obesity. Womeri are wearing a prettily, made bow in the centre of, the back, arid at the collar behind, and for these shot ribbons are greatly in demand. * The latest importation of costumes show gowns, coats, hats, and muffs to match, or rather harmonize, for all dressy gowns are made of a* combination of material's, with ■some contrast of colour. The cpat of cloth matches*- the plain skirt, is fitted closely to the figure, quite short, and finished with wide fur revers amd & velvet, collar edged with fur..The:round. waist .of the gown -is , : of .fancy veLvetin. some light wlour, and

the hat and muff, of plain dark velvet, the same shade, have a fur trimming. Muffs of velvet to match the hat are very fashionable with any costume, and they are made round or'flat, as you choose, but quite large. The flat ones, with- wide drooping ruffles of velvet at either end, are the prettiest; others are shaped like a butterfly, with a fur body and large wings of velvet bows, and large velvet poppies or. orchids which harmonise in colour are used for decoration. •_--_. ■ The newest capes are cut pointed in front; • with * long ' stole ' ends and short ' on ' the shoulders,' arid are suggestive of the Marie *, Antoinette style. Moreen -petticoats • covered ; Witn suk are y rworir to jmake- the' dress-skirt' starid out ' : and as 4 substitute for'the haircloth inter.- 7 lining; which isa-thing*--f the' past." Silk petticoats should harmonisjs iff coloUr^itK . the. silk lining: in' the. dress, .iv- A *. ': 331ack net patterned all. ever- with dot's, \ squares, or f small sprays is draped over- . , light-coloured striped silk. gowDS to freshen ■ them np for winter wear in the evening. It entirely covers the - skirt, sleeves, and the waist, except,, perhaps, a,t the neck, where "there is a yoke of cream lace over a colour or some othor pretty finish for* a contrast. The net is gathered very full over the skirt, and sometimes caught up iri festoons with bows of ribbon around the bottom. „. '"•'.' Flowers are much used for decorating ball dresses this season, and La France .roees with green velvet foliage^ are. v§ry effective on the waist of a pink silk gown, while lilies of the valley are the proper thing on pale green. - ' Kid gloves without any seam on the outside of the hand are one of the novelties this season, and another sensible glove of kid, lined with silk to make it warm is well recommended. . Chamois skin is used for dress trimmings in a variety of ways. . •Very" narrow, gold belts,- fastened with plain "of jewelled buckles and wide jewelled girdles of mediuaval splendour, are • extremely, fashionable this. seasbn, -arid * serve* to solve the problem pf what to give for presents, -with. great satisfaction to the recipients ......,,.. - '. -'.AA. Shell side combs of varying, degrees of length; with. a rtiny. row of jewels ori the edge, are very much worn, and the latest used in doing the hair Pompadour is fully six inchesloug. '....-■