Evening Costumes.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1845, 3 May 1884, Page 6 (Supplement)

Evening Costumes.

For evening wear nofcbing is more popular than chenille-coloured gauzea, which seem to havo superseded the gowns of white tulle and net, fashionably worn last year. Coloured tulles, with satin or broche 1 velvet bodices, are however much in vogue ; and these aro seen in all shades of yellows (from pale lemon to the deepest orange red), greys, pinks and undecided greens. The skirts are mostly made "ballet" fashion — that is, with several petticoats of equal length placed over each other. The uppermost skirt is often embroidered with sprigs of tiny leaves, or sprays of small flowers, in shaded wools, and finished with a plain hem, above nhich appears many rows of gold twist, threaded in the material itself. A very pretty gown for a young lady had the skirt arranged in this stylo ; the tulle, of a peculiar shade of yellow-green, was scattered with small bouquets of autumn loaves, worked in coloured w ools 5 the bodice was of satin of the same shade, and ornamentod with garlands of tinted leaves and yellow lace ; a girdle of russet-bi'own satin ribbon fell from the sides of the pointed bodice, and was tied in a careless knot low on the front of the skirt. Another was of apricot tulle, spangled with tiny gold stars, and bodice of a deeper shade of apricot satin. The skirt was ornamented by a large crescent-shaped, garland of white Banksia roses, suspended at 0110 side by narrow white ribbons. A brilliant butterfly was poised over the blossoms with with pleasing effect. White satiu, embroidored with bouquets of flowers in colored wools, ti a dc- j cided novelty, and is the newest material used for the trains or side panels of dinner and full dress toilettes. Tho designs, of bright yellow roses, shaded to deep claret-red, are strikingly beautiful, as, also small groups of nasturtiums, the vivid colouring showing up well on a background of dull green leaves. We saw, recently, at the establishment of Mons. T. Givry/ 23 Old Bond-street, a number of elegant gowns prepared for tho winter season of "five o'clock teas," which has now regularly commenced, and already there is a brisk demand for protty and becoming negligees \ for this unconventional and pleasant function. Yards of ribbon and fabulous quantities of lace or silk embroidered net are used in the adornment of these robes, in tho composition of which individual fancy may almost run : riot, and every taste bo freely indulged. Among the several examples which we proportionately admired, we may pronounce in favour of a tea gown in fme cashmere of the palest fawn colour, trimmed with lace and velvet ribbons of the same shade, having a satin <back of a lighter tint. Theso ribbons, springing from the sides of the semi-fitting waist, were carried towards tho back, and passing through rings of fawn passmonterie, fell in long loops to the edge of the skirt. The .blouse front of this pretty demi-toilette was of fawn-coloured handkerchief silk, with crimson satin stripes, and narrow stripes of black and gold. This was continued below the " bag" in three flounces, trimmed with gathered lace. Very stylish also was a combination of Sevres brocaded Surat and royal blue velvet; the jacket bodice and plastron front were of velvet, the hitter tabbed at the bottom, showing plaitings of Surat and coloured lace. Two long scarf draperies, fastened at the neck, and gradually increasing in width, fell in crossed folds to below tho waist, where they formed festooned paniers. These were again crossed at the back, disappearing beneath the coat tails of the jacket bodice. The entire gown was also trimmed with a profusion of tinted lace. M. Givry has lately introduced some petticoats of soft washing silks, lined with wadding, which will be found comfortable for evening wear during the winter months. They are made in cream, blue, pink, violet, and black silk, and havo a full bayaleuse of white or black muslin. The wadded lining, or, rather, inner skh-t (being altogether separate), is about one foot in depth, and can easily be detached from the petticoat when necessary., The entire skirt is fastened to buttons fixed to the corset below the hips. Among the dresses Nwas a hnndsomo demi-trained costume of grey and white domask, showered with velvet roses of a darker hue ; the plain skirt surmounted by well-arranged draperies of grey gros de Naples. A brocaded bodice, with blouse front of folded grey silk, which fell from the neck, was carried slantwise to the ■ left hip, where it terminated in a number of fan-shaped folds. A walking-dress of seal brown cashmere, the plastron of fawn-coloured cloth, covered with an applique pattern of seal brown velvet, outlined with iine cord ; paniers of cashmere, and folded waterfall back. Another of a woollen mixture of black and gold, with patterns of velvet rosettes ; the polonaise and bodice of black cashmere ; the skirt of 'the fancy material edged with three knife plaitings of plain black ; this \\#s stylish and uncommon. Lastly, a sortie de bal, with large hanging sleevos of magnificent Venetian brocade of the true cardinal red ; it was trimmed with fringes of self-coloured " leech" chenille, and lined throughout with long pile plush of a delicate creamy yellow. — The Queen.