A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 31 August 1897, Page 2

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, Aug. 28, 1897. There is little or no social gossip to tell you this week. The Broughs, however, are making up for the dances and such like festivities which are usually in full swing at this time of year. Every night the Opera House is crowded with an audience, which shows by the continual laughter and applause, how heartily glad everyone is to see this clever company once more. Mrs Brough has been wearing some very elegant costumes during the season, one I particularly admired was composed of rioh silk of a lovely shade of pink, the bodice being slightly trimmed with chiffon to match, a large black and white chip hat with ostrich plumes and pink .flowers completed this dainty toilette. Another pretty frock was an evening one. the skirt was of pale fawn and black brocaded silk, and the bodice of moss green velvet finished round the corsage with lovely lace. I must tell you about some of the new millinery I have seen in the shops. It is wonderful and fearful, I think, to see the colours that are to be worn together this summer. For instance, one hat 1 ooliped wa|

of mauve and white striped straw, at- the back were very high loops of mauve and bright green ribbon and on the crown was a large bunch of shaded mauve poppies, these hanging over the front as far as the brim. Another, trimmed in much the same Btyle, was of black lace straw with f *wn and green ribbon loops at the back, and on the crown a long spray of sweet pea. I liked one small hat particularly, the crown of bright ' green straw, with a small brim of openwork jet. At the side was a Very high wing of fall black accordion ohiffon and under the brim at the back was a huge violet silk poppy. Another larger hat was of black tulle trimmed with tips, the brim being almost entirely covered with cornflowers, and under it at the back was a bunch of yellow primroses. Rose pink seems to* be very much worn now, but unfortunately it is not a colour which suits the majority of faces. I saw a small Btraw hat of this shade the other day, with wings of black lace and large roses to match the straw. Those who are never happy unless olose followers of Dame Fashion will hear with pleasure that rose pink oan, by a judioious toning down of black ohiffon or eour lace, or both, be made most becoming to any complexion, but they must remember that in tbe blending lies the art. Boat shaped hats are still very much worn, even more so than they were I think. This shape in straw is going to be very fashionable for spring I am told, and I must say I am pleased to hear it for they are ■o neat looking and suit nearly everyone. Preparations are being made for the reception of our Premier and Mra Seddon. I hear they are to arrive about the 15th of Sept. How curious it will seem having ihe House sitting during the summer months. I cannot say I envy' those wfio are bound to take part in the proceedings, for the heat of those . buildings, judging from what it is in winter when the session usually takes place, will be almost unbearable. . Several ladies gave very pleasant ftf-ernoon "At Homes" this week, a-nong them being Lady Stout, Mrß Izard, Mrs Friend, and Mrs Alfred Brandon. The Misses Douglas of Hobson Street leave for a trip to the Old Oountry shortly. They intend being absent about a year. Mrs Dan Riddiford, of Rangitikei, paid a flying visit to Wellington last WOAlr. Siona.