LATEST PARISIAN FASHIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1783, 7 March 1888, Page 3

LATEST PARISIAN FASHIONS

(BY OUR PARIS CO3RBSPONDENT,)

Paris, January 14. A custom that has recently been adopted from England, and that iv cotnng more and more into vogue, id that of the wear'ng by the hostess on reception d ys of a taa gown, instead of a more formal loilette. Great care must be taken to avoid ia the material and fashion of, the drens, any suggestion of a peignoir Matinees and Watteau plaite, aud all undresß stuff*, such as cashmere or vigogae, sh mid ba eschewed. In fact the very richest materials, such as velvet, or brocade, or stamped velvet, should be employed for the main part of the dro-s, which is cut Princesße, and fits tho figure loose iy. The approach of the carnival has called for the iuventive talents of the dressmakers m regard to dresses for the f*nop ooetume balls that usually form suoh a feature at that season. Lent coraeß unusually early this year, arriving on the 15th of February, so it is by no mean' too soon to begin preparation. The dresses of La Tosca are expected to be rery popular for fancy costumea but have been found too unbecoming.

A dreis of novel elegance haa jant been Imported to the costume by a Parlei n dressmaker. Tne corsage and train are ia ■tripes of white faille and ruby plush, with vest and skirt ficnt In drapsrleb of •zare crape thickly madded wtth large oilver stars. The cuff ire ta a Pnrvgtan oap m red velvet bordered with one »za c fillet, en which Is set a row of dlatnoi d stars. On the front of thu corspge is embroidered In shaded Bilks the American eagle.

bhori mantles, as well as paletots which are long, are m vogue for tho opera and the theatre, and also for balls, an i a- o exceedingly rich aud elegant. '1 he recent cold weatber has produced a revival iv fa* or for sea skin wrap 3, wbicn are accordingly shown, both ia the paletot anJ dolman shapes. A long pale ot m Bttakkic, lined wiili quired pink caiiu, is probably tie moat c egant wrap for tho evening that can be invented .

The opera glass bag haa been adopted und modified by the Paris uns into a reproduction of the antiq io reticule, bo dear to the heartß of our #r<mn mothers This enlarged bag is of sufficient size to contain not ouly the op ra glass, but the fan and handkerchief as well, it is made of pln>h lined with satin, of untique brocade, or of embroidery m god and dull col >re, or ancient vi ks Funs are carried of a much smaller size, and m blond tortoise shell sticks with a lace of hand painted leaf, are very elegant Tne latest novelty m jewellery is a flight of seven swallows m d amondd m graduated sizes, the smallest being set on the ehoulder. A novel and useful lace-pin is a short bar, Ket al ornately with diamonds and sapphires, or diamonds and rubies. Maaonio chain bracelets m polished gold are a good deal worn m demi toilette. There is an attempt at a revival of the old-fashioned chatelaine m oxydiued silver.