SPRING FLOWERS FOR DRESSES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 38, 20 September 1890, Page 14

SPRING FLOWERS FOR DRESSES.

AN ITH returning signs of life come at last indications of spring fashions. Everything of this kind has practically been at a standstill for some time, and it is quite heralding the beginning of the season to be able to speak of dress novelties. Flowers, despite rumours to the contrary, bid fair to be more worn than ever, both with evening and morning dress? Spring blossoms are just now greatly in request, and the leading modistesare using them in profusion on young girls’ gowns. The Horal border is still popular, but the newest way of all of trimming ball-gowns with Howers is to arrange a trail from the left shoulder across the bodice ami dress to the bottom of the opposite side of the skirt. Huge floral epaulettes of upstanding blooms, such as lilies of the valley, mimosa, and lilac, are very much used, and even necklaces of sweet-smelling flowers are making their appearance. These are charming, especially if the wearer be very young and her gown simple. I saw the other evening a charming fair-haired debutante in a gown of white silk gauze with soft silk pendent sleeves of lime green. Huge bunches of real lilies of the valley were scattered over the skirt and bodice, and lound her neck she wore a thick fringe of the same fragrant little flower. It was the most delicate, reposeful-looking gown I have seen for some time. At one or two recent weddings I have observed that dainty muffs, all hut covered with rare and odorous blooms,

have been affected by some of the smartest dressed guests. And I hear that these are but the forerunners of muffs to be almost entirely made of real and artiticial flowers for spring wear. The idqa is, of course, not a new one, as it is not long since that these pretty fancies were in vogue, but doubtless we shall find some way of improving upon the old idea ; at all events, we shall certainly discover some means ot making them more costl>. That is a characteristic of latter-day fashions -of all kinds. The craze for Howers is a very pardonable one, and the floral muffs ought to be very popular. It is certainly a charming way of carrying a posy, and the effect of spring gowns will be greatly enhanced by these beautiful accessories.