LATEST PARISIAN FASHIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1830, 2 May 1888, Page 2

LATEST PARISIAN FASHIONS.

(from our own correspondent.} Paris, February 17. There is a general tendency this season towards the dlreotoire style of dress, and that despite the fact that it ia becoming to very few persons, as lt requires a figure at onoe slender and well made to carry off the short waiat and plain plaited skirt to advantage. However, the pereiatent cold weather haß permitted tbe display of very few novelties. One of the few new spring oostumes is In violet crape, the over-akirt draped slightly over a plain underskirt m blaok velvet. The Bhort slightly-pointed corsage was trimmed with, three lines of narrow blaok velvet on the collar and ouffa and around the lower edge. It was closed with black velvet buttons. Mantelet of black lace and jet passementeire, finished with bands of narrow .black velvet at the lower edge, and having long ends terminating with heavy jet tasaela. Oapote bonnet In black lac 9 trimmed with jet'and with violet plumes. A very pretty costume Is made In foulard, with a blaok ground pointed with a design m wheateara and .floating _ribbans_ ia p^le yellow, th? trimming bands "of "black lace over pale yellow taffetas. Ribbons will be a good deal used for trimming this eping, and especially narrow watered ribbons with apricot edges. A new style of shoe for evening wear la the Rlohelleu nnde m satin to match the toilette. It his a deep flip, and is ornamented with a buckle m oxydlaed sliver. Handkerchiefs m Bulphur-yellow batiste are very stylish to carry with black totlettea. Amongst the new ODlora of the spring are vivid shade of light green called " Young grass," and a peculiar greenish grey whioh has been named " New birk," and whioh blonds very charmingly with pink, and a rich shade of red, between orlms.n and deep ro3e pink, styled " Crushed raspberry," which la the handsomoat of all. Lei us conoluda by saying something about the handsome India ahawl, ao dear to one mothers and grandmothers. The question naturally arises as how beat to utilize these old fashioned possessions. Square well covered shawls are useful for table covers, and the long ones In the same style as well, imy bo cut into the long paletat shape that is now fashionable. When lined with quilted and wadded silk or aalin, and finished with sewing silk fringe matohing the blended colors of the bordering, they nuke not only vory handsome but very useful wraps, as fchey will stand well both wear and wetting to any extent. But the ahawl mußt be ruthlessly sacrificed to attaiu to anything like perfection of fit or elegance of style, as the old fashioned way of bunching lt into a wrap without cutting It only resulted In tho production of a frightful and ungraceful bundle.