PARIS NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 11, 14 March 1891, Page 15

PARIS NOTES.

I was told the other day that it is most chic now to affect a particular kind of perfume which conveys a suggestion of individuality wherever you are. A dainty little sachet well saturated with violet-, rose, lily, mayflower, eau-de-cologne, or whatever you may select, is sewn into the bodice of your costume, ana emits a faint but constant scent. A curious fashion, is it not ?’ The newest bath perfume is called ‘ Sicilian Vespers,’a few spoonfuls of which added to a tub of warm water, will give you an idea of the luxuries of the Roman dames in the great days of the fourth Empire. What a rage there is for velvet ribbons this season ! Narrow’ ribbons tied under the chin, or hanging down the back in floating streamers ; black velvet ribbons, or ribbons in all the new diseased Nathaniel Hawthorne morbid hues ; white velvet ribbons in rows upon dresses, hats, parasols, bonnets, and ribbons everywhere.

Pretty collarettes of piece velvet, shaped to lit the neck and match the bonnet, are beginning to be worn, and are sometimes fringed with pearls or bordered with diamonds. Serpents are in vogue again. I don’t mean real, living ones, but all kinds of hideous imitations, made of every kind of colour, with emerald, ruby, and sapphire eyes. A French bonnet is often composed or one huge black snake, coiled round the head of the wearer ; and she may also have a gold one around her neck and another on her wrist.

Even marriage rings are fashioned of these reptiles, and I must say I don't admire them much. The dresses I sketched this week are ve.*y pretty, and extremely suitable for late summer or early autumn wear. The first, taken from a costume which graced the figure of one of our Paris tligantes, is of pale grey surah. A flat band of velvet round the skirt is cut in bars, so that the grey silk shows through. The bodice trimming makes a pretty contrast. The hat is of black velvet, trimmed with bows of white ribbon, and the sunshade is of white silk. Worn with a bonnet this dress would look very well at an afternoon reception. The bonnet or toque should be made of the same grey shade, relieved with black velvet or some contrasting colour. (See illustration.) The second tasteful costume is very appropriate for a dusty day. The pretty dust cloak is of pale beige hued foulard, trimmed with striped surah, alternately dark chestnut and beige - colour. The hat is a diadem of chestnut - coloured velvet with an aigrette of silk pleated gauze and a blush rose in front. (See illustration.)