DRESS: HOW IT IS MADE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 915, 5 February 1881, Page 2

DRESS: HOW IT IS MADE.

The latest news in dress is that the Princess of Wales has appeared at the theatre in a black dress and brown (?) gloves. The result is that black gloves have simply disappeared within the last fortnight, and every imaginable shade of light gloves has been worn, whether similar to the costume or not. Sleeves are puffed from the shoulder to the elbow, and perfectly tight fitting, indeed made to button from elbow to wrist. Jet and beaded gimp are used on everything, and I was perfectly amazed at the weight of some of the mantles I tried on lately, chain mail could hardly have been heavier or more impenetrable. Cords in imitation lacings down the skirt with tassels are very general; the skirts are nearly all short, some extremely so. Hoods are still worn on outdoor costumes, and mantles. Satin is still the prevailing trimming material, either with or without jet trimming in addition. Velveteen is the newest dress material, or rather the newest revival, but this will be too heavy for your season ; the colors, however, are new, and the shades are exquisite ; plush trimming, either to match or in contrast, is used with velveteen. The season’s colors are five shades of red, nut and seal brown, heliotrope (which is very trying), olive, prune, bright and dull gold, silvers—grey and dull silver, maize, and pale blue The Tam O’Shanter hat is the latest rage. It is like a Scotch gillies, and is hideously unbecoming. Punch has made endless fun of it, and it will probably not last long. Except for the “ peculiar people,” broad brims are coming in again, and the old Ruebens, or Gainsborough shape is as new as anything ; the soft toques are quite going out. The Japanese straw hats, price 2|d, lined with a color and turned up at one side, or the front, were worn in the summer; beaver and seal are worn here now, but would be too hot for you. Dresses are again made of two distinct materials, either polonaise and skirt, or long jacket bodice over a puffed skirt, with a kilting of the same material as the bodice, the sleeves and 44 bouffon ”

being of the same material, say silk and cashmere, or satin and velveteen. The skirt is puffed under a long bodice, by pleats or gathers for four inches in breadth all down the front, and the rest is merely tied at the back. On long skirts for evening dress fluted flounces and small gathered flounces are again used, the skirt not much draped, jacket bodices and waistcoats with chenille fringe and chenille embroidery too, if you have the patience to do it, or the luck to find it good.