LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 9, 27 February 1892, Page 211

LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

(EROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) (SEE CASHION PLATE. PAGE 215.1 The very useful ami becoming blouse boilice has had rather a run in fashionable circles. I learn that just now it is being extensively adopted in Sydney for the summer weather, ami I suppose you in New Zealand are doing likewise. Lace is much used, put round the pointed bodices, or arranger! as a wide frill over the hips. But I must try ami describe one or two blouse bodices, tea jackets, etc. I think I will take the latter first. I saw a lovely one in black striped stockingette, with deep falling lace collar ami lace cuffs, also lace in a full cascade down the front, ami round the bodice. This is illustrated by the sketch in the top left hand corner. Opposite to this the artist lias drawn a most useful bodice to be worn with any skirt. It is cream flannel, with bronze silk vest, closely pleated at the throat, where a turn down collar meets it, secured by a dainty cream bow. At the waist it is covered by a Swiss belt made of pleated cream silk, with plain cream bands, embroidered with black or narrow bronze braid, the braid also edging the seemingly loose fronts. A bow of cream ribbon hides the fastening of the belt, whilst a deep frilled basque finishes the elegant bodice. The central figure represents a very pretty, yet simple tea gown of flowered delaine, over a full front, reaching to the feet, of soft silk or sateen to harmonise with the floral design. The arrangement of the delaine at the throat is rather new, as it forms a sort of loose, coat shaped collar, revealing the silk gathered up to the neck.

These same stylish blouses are also used for evening dress as the fourth figure will explain. This is made of palest blue silk, relieved by tiny chiffon frills round the low - cut corsage and sleeves. The fifth figure is a verystylish blouse of black and white spotted sateen, the yoke and cuffs being of handsome white embroidery. The crossed belt is made of the sateen.

Another pretty blouse I saw was an effective combination of white surah silk

and black velvet, the yoke being formed of pleated silk and velvet, and the cuffs trimmed to match. I liked a plain blouse of white flannel, with turned down collar and deep culls, herringboned in silk of any colour. Also an exceedingly pretty silk blouse in a delicate shade of pink, effectively trimmed with points of black velvet. Amongst tea-gowns—which, by the way, we are all wearing whilst cosily toasting our toes before going upstairs to dress for dinner, for it is very cold in London and Paris just now—l fell in love with one or two worn by stylish ami rather pretty women. One was plain, showing the lines of the waist. The materials it was made of were Japanese brocade and gauze. Wing sleeves have not quite disappeared, but I imagine everybody must be tired of them. The prettiest gowns had sleeves that were wrinkled all the way up, or slashed. There are some lovely silks for swell tea-gowns, those used for this purpose costing over six shillings a yard, but they shimmer like satin, and look enchanting. Sicilian brocades, used chiefly in trains, wide width, only ten shillings a yard, are so lovely one wants to buy lots of them. Some sweet little frills for the edging of skirts are

made of gauze, and are said to wash.

Heloise.