Fashion Notes from Paris.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7, 14 August 1912, Page 69

Fashion Notes from Paris.

(By :i Parisian Expert.) PARIS, May. At this time of the year smart tailormade eoats and skirts are indispensable, and for the woman whose allowance is limited, but who wishes to combine practicality with smartness, it is a question of much moment. I should like to describe one which was seen in the rue de la Paix not long ago. Needless to say, it was beautifully cut, and would have had a great cachet had it been merely made of sacking. This particular dress was made of raven-blue coarse shiny silk coating, with white mousselinc-de soie collar, edged with black- The pretty Parisienue wearing it, having removed her jacket, enabled me to admire the blouse, which was charming, forming a little tunic of white mousseline de-soie over black, the front in black mousseline de soie over silver-embroidered damask. The ensemble was both smart and at the same time practical, for the simple jacket permits one to go out on foot, while the Mouse is sufficiently “drossy” for afternoon teas and parties.

Our Sketch. Our skctvli represents a quiet tailormade costume in Maek and white striped charnicuse, the severe line of which is only relieved by velvet collar, revers and ruffs, and Hone but tort’s. This rather long jacket is made double-breasted, with side pockets, Ihe narrow skirt is perfectly plain and ornamented on one side

with six black bone r . bu t ions. The soft lace jabot, without which few really ’‘well finished" women eeem nowadays able to face a wondenn<f-world, adds a <hic finishing touch. ''The hat ' turnt ’/quickly" off the face, an I the whole silhouette is rather ne’dt than'llbwing. Neckwear. Apropos of neckwear and jabots generally, naturally there is a flood of coarse models fashioned upon the general lines of the fiiie neckwear, and the fad for trills and ruffles has brought about a 'distressing exhibition of pretentious and 'very Unattractive tilings of this sort, but even when you cannot afford to buy 1 the loveliest of the stocks and frills, it is possible to find models which are dainty ?j.ud yhic without being expensive if you will but,exercise discretion and taste. j Good lace and fine embroidery are perforce expensive, and the woman who canpot afford to pay high prices must content herself with neckwear that does hot boast these accessories. Better a pleated frill of net or lawn untrinuned, than a frill trimmed in coarse lace, or Pretentious machine work, and luckily there are many of the simple dainty models from which to choose, if you have but the judgment to choose wisely. The gleaning and laundering qualities of neckjvear are also to be taken into consideration by the woman who must economise, and it is often true that an expensive ’till or collar is cheaper in the long run oian one which costs in uch less at the Start, la-cause the more expensive may 1-e laundered again and again, while the cheaper sort, when it loses its freshness, is so useless. - ... ■.

The Voltaire collar and cuff set* are appearing in great variety, and are of all grades of elaboration, sonic of them being marvels of exquisite hand embroidery. >ome dainty sets which present laundry difficulties are finely pleated with narrow laee edging the frills, and little cm-l-ioi.li-ii-.l dots >,altered over the lawn. 9he pretties! of nil these Voltgiro sets are. in my opinion, those made of finest liiull, hemstitched and iintriinined. They (*dd such a delightfully fresh appearance to a dark gown, and Hie satin or silk Cravats with which they arc sometimes uecompanif-d are such a tievoniing finish. iVotl will la- pleiised to hear, I am sure, that you may wear this year with impunity all the lace you have tticked away In lavender and soft paper for as long.

The lovely fabric, -beside- which even the finest- of embroideries somehow look so commonplace, is going to be very much the fashion. Already the rue de la Paix is using it on nearly every one of its creations, and -there is immense and pleasing latitude as to its position. AU About Buttons.

“When is a button not a button?" This sounds rather like a -conundrum, I know, -but I only want to say. that these play an important, role in the decoration of the new summer frocks. But they are a delusion and a snare. Nearly all the tailor suits ard profusely trimmed with them. In prehistoric times—long ago, buttons were made Io button. But now, nous avons change tout cela! The buttons are there, many, many buttons, also many, mahv button-holes—holeless but-ton-holes, whited sepulchres, all of them! ’Tis all very well to sav, “I like the fashion —I’ll hare it—voila tout!’’ Alas! Alas! ’tis not “voila tout" by any. means. “Buttons have to l>B‘l idl'd ’ willi.” The period of i-cpentaneo is long, and dust and ashes endure many days. Reflect, mesdames, that buttons have an unhappy knack of falling off, and think of the monotony of rows and rows of buttons repeated on every twentieth woman met in society I How wearisome and —hut ■even to think of it, makes me feel giddy. 1 feel a sort of nightmare coming on. So *■l’ll “head myself off," and apologise.