English Fashion Notes.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 449, 26 February 1890, Page 3

English Fashion Notes.

Blouses —Blouses in various fabrics and new designs still continue to appear: in fact, they are far boo comfortable for indoor wear bo be soon discarded. The “Jeanette” blouse is made of red faille Fiancais ornamented with fancy smockstitch and gathers worked in double cream silk. The back is worked in a corresponding manner, and the turned-down collar is ornamented in each corner with embroidery likewise worked in cream colour. The high colour is plain and the sleeves, which are very full, are finished at the wrists with four rows of gathers. In order chat this style of blouse may fit perfectly, it should be firmly gathered to the exact size of waist upon a strong ribbon band, hidden on the outside by a silk waistband, fastened with a buckle. If the waist gathers be evenly pub in and afterwards “ caught” in pleats, it forms a pretty pleated basque, Tennis Mow ns. Striped and plain coloured flannels are much used for tennis gowns ; they are generally made with a straight kilted skirt and full waistband bodice. Flannelette has run its course, and well so, tor although it is so cheap that a dress can be made for a few shillings yet it does nob last clean any length of time, and after being washed it soils at once, as the texture is somewhat rough, which causes it to catch the dirt immediately. Mantles. —Transparent lace mantles, both long and short, are much worn by ladies of a certain age. They are very graceful and beautifully light, so that it is no wonder that they are appreciated, for after girlhood has passed it is not becoming for a lady to promenade the streets without some kind of mantle, and in the summer it is difficult to find a thin enough material. Some of the most dainty little mantles consist only of pieces of wide ribbon, which are brought together to form a V both back and front, which ends at the waist. The spaces between the ribbon are filled in with a light black lace, either plain or folded ; while tiny epaulette sleeves complete shoulder trimming, where small bows are placed to stand almost erect. The neck is finished with a band of ribbon, which is fastened in a knot under the chin.

Sleeves. —The upper part of all sleeves is wider, and have almost an epaulette effect, the old “leg-of-mutton ” style of cutting them being followed. Many sleeves are cut loose and long, and the fulness is then pushed up to the shoulder, and fastened under an ornament; or there is a pointed trimming down the back of the arm, and all the sleeve fulness is gathered under it. Ribbon is often tied round the arm, finishing in a bow on the shoulder, which stands up, and assists in giving the height which is fashionable. Fkills. One of our oldest friends has returned to fashion, namely, frills, which have not been seen for so long. They are put on the open sides of skirts, and border hems and jichus. Hems are also occasionally flounced quite in theolden style, the flounces being piped and drawn up on a cord. The revival of the Empire style and its flounced skirt has done this. Children’s Frocks. Tho Directoire style, and indeed all designs showing full fronts, have found much favour for children’s wear, as well as accordian pleating, which has been reinstated with much success. It must be done by a machine expressly made for the purpose, and resembles accordian or fan pleats, which fall so softly and gracefully. I saw such a pretty little dress made of fine navy serge arranged with an accordian-pleated skirt, with which was worn a bright red silk blouse or shirt drooping over a trifle at the waist. The bodice was of navy serge with short round basque and open coat-fronts with roll collar, while beneath the coatsleeves, which are cut rather short, were full sleeves of the red silk gathered into a wristband. The sash coming from under the coat at back was of red silk. Plain dresses were never more popular than this season—by which I mean either kilted or gathered pleats to the waist, ornamented with tucks, fancy stitching, or rows of very narrow braid.