LONDON FASHIONS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2360, 26 October 1881, Page 4

LONDON FASHIONS.

[From “The Queen.”] That history repeats itself is a truism, and tho same remark may be applied to fashions. In looking at some of the huge poke bonnets now worn wo are irresistibly reminded of a picture of the youthful Princess Victoria (now Queen of England) in a bonnet then called “ ooal-seuttle” shape, with a mass of tiny satin bows and white flowers filling the front. The hats or bonnets of tho present day are fast approaching this stylo, and when not too much exaggerated, prove very becoming to pretty young faces. A favorite mode of trimming these large coarse straw “pokes” is to have a very long trail of flowers laid, all round tho brim. A pretty wreath of this description, which must have measured nearly a yard in length, was composed of large Marguerites, small field daisies, and green leaves alternately. Another, on a brown straw, was of wheateara and dark leaves, with a branch of white heather and cluster of reddish-brown poppies in the front. Large bows of shaded ribbon and ostrich feathers adorned another shape, which had the front turned upwards back from the face. Indian muslin, edged with lace, also makes a pretty trimming, and natural flowers are sometimes arranged amongst its soft folds with novel effect. Wo have seen, for instance, a blossom or two of the lorga purple clematis, with a few fronds of maidenhair tastefully arranged on the hat, and another cluster at tho throat, which contrasted well with a blue gray cotton. A bouquet holder is necessary, however, to retain the freshness of these floral ornaments. One of tho newest shaped hats is that with a wide brim slightly dented in the front which shows the hair underneath. It is simply trimmed with either a largo bow of ribbon or with lace and a bunch of rosea or other flowers. The “ cherry ripe,” with its wrinkled border, is becoming, especially when the hair is worn in a fringe, but it has been rapidly copied in common straws, atd is rather too general to bo called fashionable.

Fruit is popular as a trimming, and wo see clusters of plums, cherries, currants, or grapes, both on hats and bonnets. A bon* net—which, however, had more the effect of a cap, as it was without strings—was entirely composed of red currants and leaves. A peculiar dull gold straw, with tinsel trimming, had bows and strings of pale coral ribbon and a mass of lilacs in corresponding tints, the flowers having the appearance of china in the distance, A chain or festoon of tho same fell over the strings, whioh were tied at the aide.

Cream color and white, or a (mixture of yellow and white, ore often eeen. Some children's pretty frocks, recently worn at a garden party, were of white cashmere, with trimming of bright yellow lace. Very large Leghorn hats, turned up in front to show the hair, with long white feather, and strings fastened across the crown of primrose ribbon, looked well.

A short skirt at the same fete was composed entirely of gold-colored Spanish lace, and had a wide scarf draped across the front of brilliant purple, and cardinal satin finished with fringe. Jerseys for seaside wear are to be seen in a variety of oolors, snob as dark bine, cardinal, brown, &o. They are usually laced down the back, and are sometimes attached to the skirt.

A most useful boy’s dress, especially suitable for the country or seaside, consists of a jersey, knickerbockers and cap, all of dark blue atookingnette. A sailor hat would perhaps be desirable for sunny days, but the jersey caps are always popular in a high wind by the sea. Holland suits are cool and pretty both for girls and boys, but these entail a large amount of washing to keep them at all fit to bo seen, and during the seaside holiday all restrictions must of necessity be laid aside, and little ones allowed to dabble with spades aud pails in the soft sand to their hearts’ content, regardless of clothes. The newest hats to wear with suoh costumes are made'on a firm shape, the material tucked before covering. Flexible cloth, as the elastic cloth is now called, is being much used for Norfolk jackets, which are made without plaits, and for close-fitting outdoor jackets. As the season advances black velvet or broche jacket bodices will be much worn over cotton and sateen skirts.

Pocket handkerchiefs have become quite features in a lady’s toilette. Dainty coloured borders, with either embroidered or goffered edges, are now just peeping out of the jacket bodices, whilst for evening tho tiniest square of cambrio is surrounded with filing lace, and is sometimes fastened at the side of the skirt just below the waist. Fans have hitherto been considered essentiallo feminine appendages to the toilette, but during the recent hot weather gentlemen on tho Stock Exchange and in the oity were seen gravely walking to and fro vigorously using Japanese paper fans, which were sold by hundreds in the streets for the small sum of one penny each. There is now an attempt to introduce as a sunshade the common Japanese umbrella, which has for some time past been utilised os “an ornament for the fireatove,” and they are made in various colors, such os black and white, black and gold, &0., to match the sateens and cottons, as well as in the more gaudy designs, which os a rule are rather striking than elegant. Tho Japanese articles would be found useful in country houses, especially if a supply were kept ready for visitors, and would make a picturesque addition to the garden or lawn tennis costume, sa some of them are really pretty. Bound fans made of fluted silk or satin, with a bunch of flowers in the centre, are very popular this season. They might bo effectively copied in sateen or muslin to match the gown, and would be pretty for a garden party, especially if a few natural flowers were added. The handle should be covered with ribbon, and have a loop of the same to fasten it to the waist.

At this season of the year half-wom skirts require fresh bodices, and, as it is fashionable to wear a bodice of different materials from that of tho skirt, the renewal of a toilette is an easy matter. Orinolettes are becoming more and more general, but it is to be hoped that we shall at least be spared the exaggeration which brought the old-fashioned crinoline into such ridicule and abuse. If worn at all, they should be well and carefully arranged and fastened. At present they seem to be given to crooked ways, as they are often awry. Borne novel parasols are now used, and they are exceedingly appropriate to warm WJather. They are covered with drawn silk batiste of a creamy shade, and studded with almost imperceptible spots. The lining is pink silk, and the border of rioh white lace, sewn on somewhat full. The flat bow at the top is of pink satin ribbon, and the bow on the bamboo stick is of similar ribbon. Pole blue looks equally os well as pink for lining and trimming, provided it harmonises or contracts prettily with the dress and bonnet worn at the time.