Fashion Notes from Paris.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 26, 26 June 1912, Page 70

Fashion Notes from Paris.

(By a Parisian Expert.)

PARIS. April

Everything has pointed to an early season, in so far as spring models are concerned, the early date of Easter this year prompting a forced display of spring. • and hurrying on the French dressmaking world for the next month or two.

Just now we are not getting the extremes; the bizarre new things they come later, and then, still later, comes a second wave of conservatism, a toningdown of the too voyant, a selection of the best of what has been offered, a survival of the fittest.

SPRING CREATIONS OF NET AND MOUSSELINE.

For the present, the makers seem content with turning out delightful little street costumes, general utility frocks of simple smartness, pretty linens, voiles, foulards, etc.; sure to be useful and practical, no matter what else may be ■ordered later. An exception to the rule is to be found in the new lingerie and lace models prepared for the coming season, and in most cases extravagantly elaborate, as the modish lingerie frock is prone to be nowadays. So much handwork is lavished upon frocks of the type, that the French models are very long in preparation, and the buyers must place their orders from season to sea-on. if they are to secure the work of the best makers. Already is shown wonderful confections of this type, compact of laces, embroidered nets, silk mousselines, mulls, batistes, linens, etc. Often five or six different materials are combined in the making of one frock, called by courtesy lingerie, though the lingerie materials may play a small part in the finished whole.

THE YELLOW LINENS ESPECIALLY ATTRACTIVE.

Sheer robes of mousseline or linen, fine lace, and hand-embroidered,; are often accompanied by superb coats ot heavier lace, usually Irish, this heavy lace in small quantities being also mingled with the fine lace of the robe. ’ A striking model of this class,' shown in a Re de la Paix shop, has a novel feature in the studding of the 'handsome Irish lace coat with brilliant cut jet discs, and the idea, though bizarre, works out more attractively than you would imagine. As for the useful little lingerie

froeks that will actually stand tubbing, they are already with us in great quantities, and thiuigh the really , dainty models are not extraordinarily cheap, they are not at all events in the same class with the more gorgeous frocks.

A house, whose linen frocks and suits are noted, is showing a large number of charming models in these yellow linens, usually with touches of white for relief, a little white band embroidery, a collar of embroidered white linen or pique set with rows of very fine •yellpw soutache, matching the linen a collar and frill of lingerie and lace, or some such becoming device. A note of black, too, is most effective, on these yellow tones, and is usually introduced in a cravat or tiny bow. though, in coat suits, the collar and cuffs or mere-

ly the collar may be faced with black, and a note of black may be introduced on the making of the buttons. SILK FROCKS DO DOUBLE DUTY. The double role the silk frock plays successfully this spring is extremely attractive to the woman with a practical kink in her mind. There is a decided vogue for charmeuse, by the way. and after seeing the soft, dull silk in wonderful colourings, it is not surprising that the majority of makers and wearers lean to this fabric. Fashion has made up silk dresses so that they

can be worn in the house or in ths streets. There is a dignity in the line and decoration that is eminently suited to walking costumes. And who will deny the fact that a frock can never be too elegantly simple for the home? THE ADVENT OF THE I’ANNIKR. Panniers have made their, lappeiyr ance. We see them, but, though go by that name, their draperies, Site, not really panniers at all. Charming they most certainly are. belonging, as they do, to a day of more opulent and flowing outlines, but they are details, and must remain details. We of us who have been bored to tears over the slim silhouette will welcome fussy dresses, pretty little lace flounces and frills, tiny quillings and pleating, fascinating lacy ruffles, the pointed Court waist and the like. Moreover, if your skirt has more material than of yore, the same must be flimsy and suppressed as much as possible, flattened and ironed. Are we afraid to change our line? I am afraid we are. Anyway, let us be bravo, and whatever the season’s changes may be, wear a brave front, and dare to wear what suits us best. OUR SKETCH. Quite charming are the lace and net dresses destined to be Worn over coloured slips. Filet lace and Point de. Malines are artistically blended in the model pictured on this page. The underdrcss is of pearl grey satin, the overdress composed of the two abovementioned dentelles. The corsage is arranged fichu-fashion, while a dainty little chemisette is in tucked grey chiffon, threaded with a silver ribbon.