ATTRACTIVE MODES.

Manawatu Herald, 15 March 1898, Page 4

ATTRACTIVE MODES.

Fascinating Bodices and Blouses — Notclties In Washing Shirts. Novelties from Paris furnish tho best illustration of fashionable modes. A pretty (ilk of a brown and white check, in glace, has been made with the drooping shoulders, a deep box plait in the front and muslin cuffs, for this mixture of clear, fine book muslin is a feature not to be forgot-

ten, and the box plait was trimmed with muslin, that peeps from beneath large black revere, black crepon falling over it from the throat. Tho favorite skirt trimming would seem to be insertion laid over black satin, but, in truth, skirts are left mostly plain. This check dress, like many others, has a double collar edged with lace. The French blouses are particularly fascinating. An attractive one is of chiffon and a rich yellow and gold brocade used principally for the sleeves, which are surmounted by bows. The sleeves come to the elbow, as indeed do those of nearly all the blouses in Paris, and they often finish off with ruffles at the elbow, which are elongated at the baok. ■ Cornflower blue asserts itself even In the washing shirts which are likely to be worn all the season through. They are being made with sailor collars, with soft and stiff fronts, and with strips of work insertion lot in between the plaits, while others are embroidered all over in the open hole - work and lined to show through. Some of them have movable collars of two kinds to button on and off; the one in color to turn down, tho other white and all round. This is a convenience, for shirts last longer than collars. White shirts will be much worn In soft muslins, some with minute perpendicular tucks, others with hemstitched frills, and there is at last a pretty idea for mourning — white shirts embroidered In black — and the same thing is repeated in red and colored embroidery. Pique shirts and piquo fronts to the shirts are coming in again, and many of the French models are of this material.

•The New Millinery.

All the millinery Is extensively trimmed at the back, and straw has undergone a new treatment. It Is brightly colored and often ehot. One hat of this kind has a I brim made In loops and arranged in plaits high up on ono eido. The crown of cream JT~ silk is beaded with gold sequins; a large ' cream lace bow stands boldly up at the back, intermixed with carnations of red, yellow and purple shades springing from a bunch of cool green foliage. Among many charming toques is one made with a crown of violet leaves, bunches of violets in front and a cascade of violets at the back, sprays of pink geranium appearing between these vlolete, emphasized by an aigret of cream lace. The latest and a really elegant stylo in^ bonnets is illustrated by one with ft bow of vivid rose pink in the center and black ' velvet marguerites on either side. These have light green centers and oro backed with feathery aigrots. A hat made in coarse black straw, edged with the now buttercup straw formed into ft box plait in front, has an osprey on

■ tither side, intermixed with jetted tulle, H t*d roses and bright leaves and rests upon hair. ■ A fashionable ribbon is gauze striped ■ with satin. Such wonderful bows of light green straw appear at the side of a charmBug bonnet, which has a distinct point In front, separated from the rest, composed of ■ ostrich tips, so that the hair is seen beH tween. H ■ A peculiar little toque, to. be worn by H bridesmaids, is of white satin, embroidered Hln spots of gold. A wreath of ivy encircles Just softened at the edge by an almost ■ invisible frill of black lisse, edged with a Hgold thread, the whole finished with a bouof purple hydrangea, but perhaps the of pretty toques is a brilliant pink l^ntraw, with simple black satin bows on side falling on to the hair, the shape brimless. Block cook feathers are at the back, arranged with a little lace and jet bnokles.

Oflm* of Beauty and Fashion.

Colored diamonds are coming into fashand rings, pendants and necklaces are of some that are tinted almost yelEmeralds alone and mingled with diaHpnonds are in demand, and a beautiful of diamonds bos a square center by a magnificent emerald. A pretty original pendant displays an ribbon connecting the clusters The devices in diamonds are endless, HBspecially in small brooches, such a* a cook ivi.leaf.and_varied forms of bird*