Fashion Notes from London.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11, 11 September 1912, Page 70

Fashion Notes from London.

(From Our Lady Cot respondent.) LONDON. July 28. Without a calendar the observer might tell the time of year any day now by merely walking the streets of the City and the West End and noting the people. For all London that can bo is away, and all America that can he is here. As ever, American women are worth looking at in their cool perfection of the latest thing in coats ami skirts and trim hats, and with the neatest feet in the world. They still a licet striped materials, it is noted, though those have not been extraordinarily popular here of late; and very stylish they look in them. White laec veils, as usual, are draped round their small straw' hats with admirable effect. It is a noteworthy thing that .Americans and Parisians manipulate I heir veils, and especially those mentioned, with a careless daintiness that the average English woman, who has not the rudiments of the art, but always has a chin-knot, a pin, or a cobbly-bit too much in evidence, cannot imitate. Black Tulle Veils. Writing of veils reminds one of the fascinations and the deadly snares of black tulle veiling. In the first category it is cheap, and, to many people, eminently becoming, especially to those possessed of a good skin: but its very fineness is its stumbling-block. If not adjusted without a vestige of a wrinkle or a gather, it can cast an almost, imperceptible shadow (»n some part of the face that adds years to its appearance- so delicate the shade that it seems part of the face. N.Z. Resourcefulness. The wonder of the Xew Zealand girl is not always apparent while one is iij New Zealand, since the average'girl is well, the average. And it is not always apparent abroad, unless one knows herintimately. For her wonder lies in the quiet way she does her remarkable things. Not long ago a New Zealand girl, whose parents had not much money, married an Englishman oi some position, and her trousseau was therefore something of a dilliculty. 'there were critical English future relatives to be considered, and there was the credit of a New Zealand girl at stake. It would have done the Dominion's motherly heart good to have seen her daughter’s efforts and rewards. Even her storm-coat for yachting, a pretty, practical cream macintosh, was not only made but had been waterproofed by her! 'This week, on a gloomy, hot afternoon. the writer camp across .1 radiant figure nothing neater could' have been produced in London, for nothing neatci could exist. In green of a dark, tool shade, made with a short Russian coat with a black glace bell, and an emhroi dered silk blouse and a coat collar of hand-made lace. A large black hat was trimmed with silk Howers in shades <»f green, and a great green boa completed the costume. There were net ruffles* at the wrists, and a green ornament that exactly matched the dress hung from a gold chain at the neck. ’flic co,-t nine was four years old., an t had started life afresh several' Thues after a season's bath iii a new shade. And. to begin with, it,was made of B »i lon sheeting, at 1/ a yard! And the maker and wearer was a New Zeala nder. Tulle Ruches appear finishing lhe edge* of sonic of I he newest large straw hats like frills. These aie anything hut practical, however, and special imagination is not needed to picture them on a damp day. “I he Lady Madcap" is a bewitching Dutch bonnet affair for grown ups. for wear in holiday time, and appears to bi* fashioned, as are icrv dainty bonnets foi babies, out of a largish coloured, hor dried handkerchief. Short silk coats in a ron-4 mating shade to the skirt that, though very

popular, have not been run to death this summer, are prophesied for the autumn and winter. • \ Long ostrich plumes are now being worn round the outside of a turned-up hat, as they used to be years ago. Coloured Hosiery. With what incredulity would the information that not only coloured but white stockings and shoes, would return to fashion and would remain in that mysterious Dame’s favour for over three years, have been received only live years ago? Yet, so it is; and at every function and in the streets one sees almost as many coloured stockings as black ones. The very newest boots have kid tops of line glace in pale colours, but there i.-. something too conspicuous about these as compared with suede, save 011 faultless ankles. Parasols with swaiisdowii edges arc the newest conceits. A Handkerchief Collar. A well-groomed woman iu the West .End seen this week had as a collar on a dark linen coat a very line linen handkerchief edged with Brussels lace. The handkerchief had, of course, been cut across from point to point, and the linen only cut into shape. The other half made cuffs. Low shoes, mainly of patent leather, still enjoy much greater popularity than the more substantial walking shoes we’ve known for so long. The new Directoire coat has one very long tail at the back, reaching almost to the hem of the skirt, is sloped away from the decolletago, where it has rather a s ,uare effect over the hips, and is generally finished with a wide lace collar or a quaker one of the same material ns the coat. The sleeves arc of the small leg of mutton style, with wrist frills. A pretty gown seen this week that may contain a suggestion lor a home dressmaker was of very pale pink accor-dion-pleated silk, the high-waist cd bodice covered loosely with line cream luce that ended in a tunic over one hip. There was a folded satin belt of pale blue and pale pink—the latter a slightly deeper shade than the silk, and this was finished with a large Hat pink satin how and end that weie draped t<» form a companion t unic. "Whipcord. '"l'he material that not only Itus a velvety appearance, but has.all the hinting qualities of the “whipcord of ofd days, is still very fashionable, even though it was so universally worn for coats and skirts during the spring that it becomes a little monotonous. But even navy serge, rightly beloved of all women, can not look neater than this newest edition of whipcord, and the women to whom a new' coat and skirt is a consideration, cannot du better than invest iu this neat and hardy material

Exit Dowdineu. A determined effort is being made to rid themselves of the charge of wet weather dowdiness which Englishwomen have for so long deserved, and not only beautiful silk macintoshes in soft colours are being produced, but umbrellas t<u match, so that with a neat hat, boots and gloves, there’s not the least reason now why a wet day should spell unsigntlincss.