MISCELLANEOUS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 26, 28 June 1890, Page 15

MISCELLANEOUS.

Little girls’ dresses of serge, eashmeie, and other woollen materials are trimmed with a good deal of braid. Gold is used more extensively than ever on Imnnets, and in braids, galloons, and trimmings of all kinds. Black velvet sleeves are also worn in cloth coats of tan colour, terra eotta. and dove gray, ami make a very pleasing contrast. A stylish lace ruff, to wear with a dinner dress is made of dotted white silk lace, knife-plaited, and then set spirally around a white ribbon which encircles the neck. It is fastener! under a ribbon bow at the track, while another Irow ornaments the front. ‘ English as ‘ she is sjioke.’ or written, in India is quite as funny as it is elsew here. Lady Dufferin quotes the w ind up of a letter she had from a grateful native —• you have been very kind to me, ami may Almighty God bless you and give you tit for tat.’ I ndressed kid gloves are now shown for gentlemen in very light tan and tiesh colours, while wide stitching on the hack is out of favour. Pearl-coloured gloves, fastened by two buttons, are stylish for the groom and ushers at day weddings, while the guests wear tan-coloured suede gloves. Many of the handsomest wool gowns have square yokes of velvet and velvet mutton leg sleeves. The yoke extends across the arm-holes in front and liacs. ami is generally cut out in deep scallops, or finished with gold or silver liraid, while there is a border of velvet matching the yoke at the foot of the straight wool skirt. Sleeveshave l>eeome very conspicuous by being made to •lifter from the bodice, not only in fabric, but in colour ; thus a violet woollen Imdice has green silk sleeves, a suede cloth body, has bias-strijied sleeves, ami there are plaid silk sleeves in cashmere gowns; and in the spring lace, or thin passementerie sleeves in bengaline or brocaded basques will l>e worn. Quite a new departure in the way of evening gowns are the perfectly plain and sheathlike gowns of tine, soft cloth in white, cream, apricot, and other tints. These are only relieved lound the neek ami sleeves by a design laid on in silver. The complete contrast afforded by these gowns to the usual Huffy tulle draperies. renders them particularly effective, but I need hardly say that it requires a jierfect figure and complexion to wear them well. The costumes of the bridesmaids consisted of white poult <le soi with a trimming of silver coni. The bodice had folds of silk crosswise, and each told was ornamented by a silver coni, while the front was tilled in entirely with rows of silver cord. The line, commenced by the folds of silk and cord across the liodice, was continued from the waist bywhite silk sashes at the side of the skirt, fastened to the waist by antique silver buckles, and terminating in deep fringed ends. Their hats were made with soft white velvet crowns, and brims of white astrachan. Each also wore a platinum gold band on her wrist and carried a posy of Japanese chrysanthemums, the gifts of the bridegroom. The Duchess of Fife can certainly pride herself on having completely ruled this season's fashions, though it is unfortunate that those she has been the means of introducing are not particularly pretty. Everything that can be tartan is made so. and Imnnets, photo-frames, jackets, and shoes are designated ‘ The Fife 'or ‘ The Duchess of Fife.’ The latest developments of the plaid craze are tartan stockings, tartan silk waistcoats, and nanow, flat strips of cheek silk for tacking in the collars and cuffs of dresses. The stockings are particularly hideous, being completely covered with check designs in black and white and colours. The majorityare in silk, and are intended for evening w ear, but can never lie becoming to the feet or agreeable to the eye.

Another bride was attired in a handsome dress of white l>engaline silk, trimmed with passementerie. Iler tulle veil was fastened with a pearl and diamond spray, the gift of her mother, and she also wore a handsome j»earl necklace and pendant, the gift of her godmother. She carried an exquisite bouquet of the choicest white Howers, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids’ costumes consisted of pink alpaca trimmed with rows of nanow green velvet. The l»odices were made with Medici collars, striped with green velvet ami dra|»ed with crepe de chine. They wore large velvet hats trimmed with pink ami green tips, and carried exquisite bouquet* of green foliage tied with long loops of green ribbon. They all wore safety pin brooches set with moonstone* and pearls, the gift of the bridegroom. The following description of recent brides’ dresses may be interesting ami useful : The bride, who was given away Inlier father, was attired in a dress composed entirely, both skirt ami train, of the finest white duchesse satin. The long train, which fell in very graceful folds, was edged by a rouleau of satin of the same quality as the dress. The liodice had folds of satin on one side, brought from the shoulder to a point at the waist, ami the rest of the front of the Im slice was covered with a very rich applique embroidery of white silk and silver. The skirt was |»erfectly plain, ami was ornamented round the front by a deep Imrder of silver ami silk embroidery to match that on the l»odice, ami was relieved on either side by a graceful revers trimmed with a small embroideiy. Her veil was fastened by a diamond star, the gift of the bridegroom. The Marchioness of Dutl’erin ami Ava’s reminiscences of her Indian life is quite the l»ook of the season. It is full of interest, womanliness, simplicity, and pleasant humour. From the moment when the Marchioness describes the funny little brown la»ys at Aden, in 'B4. with their dyed yellow hair—one of whom had his leg snapped oil’ by a rock cod. but felt the ingratitude of the cod. who had often met him under water, more than the loss of the limb to the farew ell address of the Calcutta Music School to her husband, in 'B7, the story abounds in graphic touches ami little bits of humour. The Horid style <»f Oriental compliment is amusingly shown in the address in question, which run* thus: 4 To the most puissant, the most magnanimous, and the most glorious Earl of Dutlerin. Representative in India of the Most Gracious Majesty—Who is all that is good. Who is l»eyond compaie, Who illumines tin* world with the splendour of Her wealth ami arms, ami Whois the emlxMiiment of transcendent kindness .... the Academy of Music . tawed down with unutterable grief at the pros|H»ct of losing Thee, drenches the earth with her tears of sorrow. ’