THE LADIES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3982, 26 April 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE LADIES.

LADIES GOSSIP,

Ono has only to view the different windows and soo therein the latest winter millinery displayed, and one does not wonder at chenille taking so prominent a part in our season styles when you see its richness as a trimming. In writing these articles I wish to convey to my readers some idea of the latest styles as worn by our sisters in the big cities, aud thus be of use to enable those at a distance to bo on an equal footing as those near at hand, for it is as well, when purchasing, to bo in the fashion as out of ifc. Thero is little change. We still have the Princess' Cottago, Langtry, Olivia and Capote. The Prindess and Cottage can be easily trimmed at home, their simplicity being their great charm, and thus suitable for youthful faces. You can procure them in fancy straws, crowns of stretch velvet, satin, or plush, and then, by only adding a bow and loops of some rich ribbon, fancy pins, and strings, or plush velvet or chenille, you have a stylish and inexpensive|bonnet. As I mentioned in my last, Cottago bonnets, with a buckle and folds of corduroy velvet; or Ottoman brocade, or satin. Of course wo havo bonnets again loaded with trimmings like the hats, and some are decidedly large, with protruding borders, linod with silk trimming introduced inside tho border; outsido the trimmings consist of clustors of feathers, or of velvet flowers and strings of narrow velvet. A pretty Capoto for a lady of certain ago is of bronze folt; drapery of tho same color round the border and fall of bronze-beaded lace, cluster of velvet china-asters, with chenille foliage at the sido. Another of dark red velvet, plain crown, velvet puffing, cluster of velvet nasturtiums and anemones, and white feather aigrette, strings of faille brocade with large velvet dots in two shades of dork red. Capotes are mostly made of soft felt in such shades as dark grey, gendarme-blue, garnet, nut-brown or black, according to the costume. Grey felt is very much the rage just now, both for hats and bonnets, but to turn our attention to the bats, which aro very gorgeous on account of their feathers. All the new felt hats have the crown high, slightly tapering towards the top, which is flat, but their brims differ in shape, in some quite flat, in others turned up either on one sido or both ; they are trimmed with different shades of one color, or relieved by dark shades of crimson, copper, myrtle green, navy blue, seal, nut brown and maroon. The Henris are very popular amongst very young married ladies and girls. Then again thero is the Giroadin style, soberly trimmed with aband of velvet and feather, on onesido, contrasting with the Henri 111., which is overloaded with feathers. The Amazon, with its high crown, turned up at the sides, tho Spanish, and modified Gainsbrough, which will bo great favorites. There are very few simple hats to be seen, but still a fancy straw trimmed with bands and bow, or with the fancy trimmings now thp rage, and a buckle, or pins, would do very well, but the majority are trimmed with elustor3 of feathers fastened upon the crown, and spreading over the brim with bow of velvet, sprays of flowers in front, sea gulls, and the heads and toils of small animals as ornaments, so you can gee with so great a variety there will be no lack in choice. I am going to finish my gossip this week with two weddings, and as it is always a plpasing topic to hear what a brido woro I will describe them as cent to we. Silt firel I will tell y you

what I consider a pleasing feature of a wedding. Lady Clarke was the first to introduce it on the marriage of Lord Scott and tho Hon. Ivo Bligh. When you return from the church the photographer awaits you on the lawn, and you are taken with your bridesmaids, and it makes a charming piature. I could relate how, before a wedding, every one was told not to forget to tell the photographer, and so the folks, thinking some one had surely ordered him, did not go themselves, and when the day arrived some ono had blundered, and the poor bride was much disappointed. But to describe the dresses, or I shall tave Mr Sub. Ed. writing to tell me to keep within; my allotted space. The bride, who was a Miss Marie Levy, woro a rich ivory satin duchesse, trimmed with colonial ostrich feathers and exquisite laco drapery, and from among the ostrich plumes bunches of myrtle peeped out between the folds of tho train. The splendid court train was trimmed with bouquets of flowers and edged with gold lace, feathers and lace falling also over the folds of satin at the back. Chatelaine and wreath were of orange-blossom, and the long tulle veil was fastened with a magnificent diamond pin given by the groom. Eight bridesmaids wore short dresses of cream Surah silk, lace sleeves, and little maroon birds on tho shoulder, stylish hats lined with maroon velvet and trimmed with cream feathers. Each maid carried a horseshoe bouquet of lovoly flowers, and woro a gold horse-shoe brooch given by the bridegroom. The bride's mother wore a combination of bright maroon velvet and melon pink satin, and lace, long train, maroon velvet bonnet, and melon pink feathers. Tho travelling dress, a beautiful fawn cashmere trimmed with lace and ,pink bows, bonnet to match. On the Saturday previous when "sitting for joy" took place, Miss Levy wore a splendid soft pink satin, draped with lace in front, and studded with humming birds. Her trousseau consisted of twelve costly dresses, one dress especially, wonderfully brocaded in silrer and pale blue, with crystal embroidered tablier, was splendid. This brocade, as well as the bridal lace, was mado to order in Paris, the brocade on her dress costing Cvo guineas a yard. The clay fixed for the second wedding being bright and all that could be wished, the wedding was celebrated in tho garden, where, with the addition of potplants and ferns, the place was converted into an enormous conservatory. According to the Jewish custom, the marriage is celebrated under a canopy, which on this occasion was of beautiful; velvet with gold fringe; this, together with the magnificent toilettes of the bride and her eight maids, made .as picturesque a group as could be well imagined. The bride, Miss Estelle Levinson, woro a magnificent gown of rich ivory white duchesse satin, most exquisitely handpainted by tho two young sisters of the bride, with orange blossoms, and bridal flowers in panels, tho whole covered with clouds of silk tulle. The train was very long, and was also painted. Small bunches of orango blossoms formed the wreath, from under which hung the tulle veil. The bridesmaids looked charming in cream surah, box-pleated and with tulle waterfalls, each wearing pretty wreaths and veils. Mrs Levinson, mother of the bride, wore an unusually handsome gown of green satin mcrveilleux, brocaded with cardinal flowers. Mrs Jacobs, the grand-mother of the bride, wore black satin with Maltese lace trimmings. The brido's travelling dress was of myrtle green striped costume cloth, with hat to match. —Edith.