THE END OF FASHION'S FREAKS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 863, 8 July 1910, Page 3

THE END OF FASHION'S FREAKS.

It is likely that the influence of the mourning worn for King Edward will be the salutary one of freeing the fashions of the day from any eccentricities, says the London correspondent of an Australian paper. The black apparel that is seen now in the London shops corroborates tliis theory. For the purpose of deep mourning tlie more sombre the toilette the better; therefore few trimmings are used, and those that are permitted are very quiet in cffect. The hobble -skirt- is set aside for one of more ordinary appearance and generous proportions, arid the mammoth hat ceases to be without rivals. The wearing of mourning also brings black hoots and shoes into use, towards which end fashion has been contending against prejudice for some time. Black hosiery also returns. When the habit of appreciating the quiet note in dress is well established it is not likely to bo superseded easily by the bizarre; thcreforo it is not improbable that the grotesque fashions which many women regret on account of their extraordinary aspect will disappear from the coming programme of dress and not reappear.

The palpable restraint of the mourning toilette rules each detail of dress connected with it. and the very millinery that is worn is indicative of sorrow. It is not the mammoth hat, with its grotesque -air, that will be worn, but rather the turban, and the new, closely-fitting, stringless Direotoire bonnet, which hides the hair, with the exception, it may be, of a few little curls escaping upon the forehead, and is the simplest of headgear that can possibly be. Ostrich.feather plumes, with drooping fronds, cord, and ribbon ornaments and wings are used for trimmings. A black aeroplane or chiffon veil with a bordering of hem-stitehed silk is very much worn. Jet has been of late in great request, and it and tlie "rosary" of beads in dull black wood will be the only jewellery worn for the deepest mourniug.