The World of Fashion.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XI, 18 March 1899, Page 349

The World of Fashion.

By

MARGUERITE.

According to the most reliable prophets in the matter of dress our costumes are to be more handsome than ever as the season advances. However, for practical use, I am inclined to think, in spite of the contrary, declaimed by Dame Fashion, that the economically disposed woman may look her best in either coat and skirt of moderate length and ent, or gown of cloth or serge, with trimmings of velvet or braid, fashioned in the simplest of vogues, and yet follow fashion’s footsteps very closely. Something that is neither out of the way in the matter of smartness nor lacking in a certain element of novelty all its own is what one chiefly needs in the way of a gown at this season of the year. A very important garment for autumn and winter wear is the teagown. The soft, feminine daintiness of its flowing draperies and unconventional shape and outlines are often obtainable only in this form of dress.

Of many pretty tea-gowns which have been appealing to our affections lately, we choose one as our subject as being possibly a suggestion for any of our readers who may be in the throes of evolving such a garment: for tea-gowns and jackets are much in evidence just now. This pretty robe is of pale green cashmere. It is cut square at the shoulders, and bordered by a broad passementerie of jet, from which the gown falls in full folds to the feet. The neck is filled in by a chemisette of white lace, with a square-cut throat and high collar at back, and the wrinkled lace sleeves have a double flounce epaulette. A rosette of black velvet ribbon, with long end, is placed at either corner of the passementerie yoke. The gown fastens on the left side, the fastening being hidden by Hie folds.

Here is a blouse of grey crepe de chene. From under the double square collar, edged with frills of white embroidered crepe, the bodice is closely lined with tiny perpendicular tucks, ami pouches over a folded band of pale rose-pink silk. The sleeves are tucked at intervals, and ruffled at the wrists with white erepe. This also forms the stock for the throat, which is drawn through one of the

new diamond slides in the front, and gathered into a full broad bow at the back of the throat. A grey silk straw hat with a crown of crushed pink

roses, and one of the new triple aigrettes of pink silk fastened by a diamond brooch, completed this pretty toilet. Returning to the glorious uncertainty of all things fashionable, plainness was to be the keynote of all our vanities this autumn. Vet, hey! presto! we are now bidden to braid ad lib. The expert fingers of the braider will be active once more after lying idle for long. This figure illustrates a smart braided gown of up-to-date

pretensions in all respects. It is built of grey cloth, and cut with the* new clinging skirt, which has not only been bereft of all stiffening properties, but is made sufficiently long to drag a little on the ground, though scarcely a demi-train. The bodice is pouched, crossed over an under-bodice, ijjnd tied by a ribbon waist-band, 'rhe whole is trimmed with rows and curls of black silk Russian braid.

Effective simplicity is displayed in this pretty design, which is made of white mull muslin, trimmed with lace and insertion. The neck is fitted with square yoke, and between the lower edge of this the full bodice is gathered and secured front and back. The fulness at the lower edge is gathered all round, then stitched bctween the upper edge of band, which

is pointed in the centre of front. The straight skirt is trimmed with a frill edged with lace, and secured under a row of insertion. The fulness at the upper edge Is gathered :wid secured between the lower edge of band, which fastens at the back with a sash, the ends being trimmed With lace-edged frills, secured under a band of inser-

tion. The yoke is outlined with a lace-edged frill, which forms epaulettes over the shoulders, and is secured under a row of insertion. The neck is neatened with a turndown frill of lace, and the pinafore fastens down the centre of back with buttons to the waist. 21 to 2J yards of 40-inch mull will be required, 74 yards of lace, and 4 yards of insertion.

THE DRESSING GOWN. ABOVE ALL OTHER THINGS IT MUST FIT EASY. Any industrious woman may make herself a really smart and useful dressing gown. To be useful a dressing gown must be really loose and easily slipped on and off. A complicated gown is a snare and a delusion. This

model is all it should be, and most truly fascinating in the new striped flannels. Some in pale blue alternating with fancy pink are lovely, or heliotrope and green is perhaps more uncommon.