FASHIONS FOR DECEMBER. [From the London and Paris Ladies' Magazine of Fashion.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 288, 3 May 1848, Page 4

FASHIONS FOR DECEMBER. [From the London and Paris Ladies' Magazine of Fashion.]

The colours most in favour this winter in woollen materials for dresses are monstre vert, dark gray, garnet and Muraille : stripes and checks continue fashionable ; the richer materials of dress are generally in running satin patterns, on reps ground, whether of different shades of the same colour or contrasting ones. The new materials are so rich in pattern as not to admit of trimming with the same. Woollen materials are principally used for redingotes, made quite high, ornamented with brandenbourgs ; in galons, silk nceuds of satin and velvet ribbon, and large nceuds in gimp ; embroidery in satin stitch, mixed with thick cord, which has quite replaced braid ; narrow velvet is also very fashionable for trimmings. Carriage dresses are generally quite high and tight, with long sleeves closing at the wrist ; those open at the bottom are still fashionable, but principally for dinner dresses. For evening wear, rich satins with velvet patterns will be the great novelty of the season. Bouillons of tulle and pretty trimmings of coloured blond have a good effect. On taffetas ball dresses, pink and citron velours epingle are frequently seen, with blond flounces of the same colour. Berthes of lace, velvet, and old point, are still worn, but rather less deep. Taffetas dresses of pink, blue, and white are often nearly covered by pinked ruches. Narrow velvet ribbons, both plain and epingle, are very much used. Bonnets and caps are covered with them ; the narrower the more approved. Fancy buttons are also much used. Bishops' purple and vanille colour are favourites for redingotes ; they are often trimmed with stamped velvets. Fur is now a favourite ornament. Satin skirts for morning wear have several rows ; the corsages being high, with small fixed pelerine of fur, diminishing to a point at the waist ; sometimes two bands of fur are placed en tablier^ fur cuffs are much deeper than they were last year. The newest style of pardessus is thj manteau Armenien, partaking of the paletot and mantelet ; it is open at the sides the whole length, and falls straight behind, without marking the waist, trimmed with a broad band of gimp or lace laid on. The same style, of reduced size, is also made m cloth and merino, trimmed with gimp or stamped velvet. One of the novelties of the season is a plaid velvet cloak with deep fringe. Many pardessus form large rounded shawl behind, and mantelet in front ; it is cot unusual for the pardessus to match in colour with the dress, as one of dark blue velvet with dress of dark blue gros de Naples. The form of bonnets, though rather similar to those worn last year, is, however, rounder and more open, and there is a roundness in the crowns. Carriage bonnets are of royal or. plain velvet, with feathers, and many with ornaments of satin ribbon ; the inside finished with four rows of pipings of two colours alternating. Satin capotes are ornamented by demi-guirlandes of the same colour, intermixed with black lace ; some black velvet bonnets are lined with with pink or mai's, a very favourite colour.