THE LADIES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4168, 29 November 1884, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE LADIES.

JADIES' GOSSIP

Dear Edith,—We had such lovely weather for carnival week, Cup day was all that could be desired, the bright green lawn showing up the tints of the ladies' toilettes which vied with tho flower plots in point of brilliance. I think the only regret was the stands being inadequate to accommodate tho visitors, for there was not a seat obtainable when we arrived a little before twelve. I never saw so many people from Sydney bofore, the stands seem to represent New South "Wales, and it is so amusing to hear how jealous they are that we should think a Victorian race more attractive than their beautiful harbor, and their newspapers are teeming with articles on the subject. I also noticed they were disgusted at the want of loyalty displayed by the cornstalk mob, who never patronise Kundwick by any chance, but rush over to the cabbage warden on the slightest pretext, so much so that Lady Loftus' At Home had to be postponed. I had no idea we had so many pretty girls in Melbourne, and tho lovely dresses will be a picture k-ng to be remembered. Jack was in the best of spirits, so I concluded his horses were coming homo. I was equally fortunate- in sweeps and in the glove line, but I must tell you how we were dressed for I felt very satisfied with our appearance. We all agreed to wear lace, as it is the fashion, so Lill's was ficelle lace over pale blue satin, Nell and Jess canic with our party, and Nell wore cream lace over cardinal satin and Jess, bronze with coffee lace, and yours truly cream laceover gold satin. Would you believe it there was such a run on buttercup satin, you could not get any in town a day or two before tho races, the color is so much worn and looks so handsome under lace. I cannot say which dress 1 liked the best, but I will give you some to picture in your mind's eye. As a contrast to lace, note a lovely French grey satin covered with pearls. A stylish dress was black, bodice and bock drapery of Merveilleux, cardinal de Lyon front draped over with point lace caught up with pompons, and a cardinal waistcoat covered with lace. Lady Loch on Derby day wore a grcnat costume of velvet and satin, a grcnat bonnet of velvet,, and a silk parasol to match, The vice-regal box was a mass of flowers, and on Cup day- an elegant costume of a lovely shade of silvery grey, of handsome brocho and cashmere combined. The pleated skirt and pointed bodice were of brocho, which had a design of convolvuli on it, and the drapery of the skirt was of cashmere. Tho bonnet was of the same shade as the dress, with an open work black crown and a tuft of soft, grey aigrettes in front. A quantity of exquisite white lace caught at the throat by a bunch of natural roses, and a large white satin parasol trimmed with lace completed this charming toilette. The Governor's party this year included Sir William Robinson and Miss Robinson and Sir George fr trahan, together with tho respective suites of the threo vice-regal representatives and other visitors now at Government-house. I hoy arrived before tho first race, and the sight was indeed a brilliant one as they passed through the bright avenue of smartly dressed ladies towards their box. As we pass along tho terrace, we stand for a moment by the huge vase at the end, and feast our eyes on the bewildering spectacle spread out before us. How ceaselessly it changes. Groups gather in spots, leaving here and there the velvety carpet of the lawn visible. A moment, and the throng covers it again. Lady Clarke i 3 attired in a cream Valenciennes lace dress over satin, ornamented with gold pompons. One of her daughters wears an India embroidered muslin dress over blue satin, trimmed with brown point lace. A very fino effect is produced by coffee-colored lace over white satin. A brown satin dress, handsomely trimmed with irory lace and pink satin, is clever and harmonious. One of the hantbomest dresses present is of mushroom duchesse satin, with gold lace embroidered petticoat over pink. A cream moon-spot broche gown is most becoming to its wearer. It is nicely draped with lace, and tho sapphire velvet vest lends an additional charm. A brunette wears a white surah dress with handsome lace flouncing and gold braiding.. Her sister is dressed in a blue surah trimmed with ivory lace. _ A dress from Worth's establishment is of rich golden brown satin, trimmed lavishly with lace ; the front to tho skirt is of gold brocade beautifully embroidered with varieties of butterflies. Of course there were some glaring instances of bad tasto in the matter of dress, but how could it be otherwise in such ft concourse of people ? For instance a crimson satin dress with fan pleatings of pale sea green, and bows of mandarin yellow, was conspicuous for the absence of anything like artistic taste. A polonaise of cardinal satin, with hoggings of gold braid, over a white satin skirt, held its own with a power that only' that color can command, and a mandarin yellow satin was the cynosure oi neighboring eyes. Comparatively few trains appeared to trail their regal-looking draperies over the lawn. One was of white satin, plain and square, the entire costume being composed of tho same material, with hat and parasol to match. Contrasting with this was a rich one of ruby plush, the front draperies of the skirt being composed of pale pink satin. A plainly-made dress of pale gold plush was also arranged with a long train, a large hat with feathers in front being worn. Another showy trained dress was of peacock-blue brocade, elaborately trimmed with mushroom luce. ; a bonnet and parasol worn to match -v mushroom luce dress worn over crimson with pleasing effect, a cluster of crimson loops relieving tho front. A bonnet trimmed with crimson poppies, and a mushroom lu/?_ parasol. A pink satin skirt embroidered, grey satin jacket trimmed with fur, a large grey satin poke hat, trimmed round tho edge of the brim with pa/o pink roses. A nasturtium shot silk, trimmed ivjth black lace, a nasturtium drawn bonnet with black lace over, relieved in front with nasturtium pompons. A liandsonicclreaeof bluck_alin untl jet, with tablicrof jetted lace over buttercup satin, bonnet of "black and gold. A magnificent costume of cereulcnn blue satin and broche. 'J ho skirt was of blue satin, covered with flounces of most beautiful laco while tho pointed bodice and full back drapery were of thebi'ofllip, which was a gorgeous one, having a large floral design, with pink and gold and oth_r colors ;in it. The bonnet was of cream lace, with blue feathers; the sunshade was of transparent lace, adorned with blue ostrich plumes, and the fan, when closed, formed a boquct of (lowers. Another costume consisted of green and grey stripped satin, with apron-likednipery, and rcdingoto of the same sprinkled with a design of leaves in raised "reen velvet. The hat, or rather bonnet, was of the same material, with a handsome wnsath of green leaves and white lace strings. A very elegantly made dress was of drab watered-ilk, richly trimmed with lace to match, the skirt trimmed with deep killings of the silk j tho draperies were formed into full paniers. Tho jacket body well fitting, and gracefully out, was also finished off with laco. A small, becoming bonnet was worn. A very becoming costume wns composed of prune Persian cashmere effectively trimmed with shot silk, which ornamented the skirl, and formed a full waistcoat on the body. A straw hat lined with prune velvet, and trimmed with cream lace and cream ostrich feathers, formed an effective finish to this lady-like toilette. Long, tan mousquetaire gloves were worn. Whfte and cream muslin dresses adorned with volvet bows of various shades were decidedly the most popular; next in favor, and more suitable for older ladies, came tho shot silks and broehes, whose everchanging chameleon-like tints were dazzling in tho bright sun. A very dainty dress was composed of white mull muslin, made with deep-pointed tabliers, back and front, elaborately tucked, and trimmed with fino , muslin embroidery. The full body was prettily trimmed with edging and insertion. A becoming whi'e hat was worn, lined with black velvet, and trimmed with cream feathers.—LotJiis,