The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1893-11-25 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

LADIES' LETTER.  MY DFARzwr NELLIE,  It would appear that some old fashions have been revi‘ed this season that seemed likely to be out of date for many more years. It is said all styles oome round and round in turn, only a certain number of years has to elapse before their revival. Who, for instance, would have thought we should so soon return to flounces? We have all been thoroughly oonifortable and content with our plain skirts, than which nothing is prettier, yet all the same, the flounces have re-appeared.  The Puziohinello hats and bonnets are still to the fore, this shape now being made in felt and satin, usually turned up with a colour. A charming , bonnet can be made in the flat shape of black , astrachan, with just a bunch of violet* on the left side, and the back trimmed with a large Alsatian bow of satin, from the centre of which emerges an osprey. Satin hate share a measure of our attention, and occasionally these are to be met with a brim of straw, while murderous-looking jet pins are thrust through black oetrioh feathers ; and • prominent feature of oar millinery is the sable tail, but this is rather stiff and unmanageable, and though it decorates with a certain amount of charm a brown felt plateau trimmed with a twist of turquoise blue velvet, and looks extremely well on a bonnet of white cloth embroidered in jet, yet it cannot be considered quite satisfying from an ;esthetic point of view.  A very elegant bonnet is in two shades of velvet, and its appearance is very soft and becoming to the face. The crown is round and folded at the sides which are edged with Sequin jet or Venise lace, and soft plume of feather. It also has an aigrette on either side of the front.  Furs appear to be the order of the day. I suppose it is the sudden cold which has just now made its seasonable appearance that has induced ne all to don our winter attire. Be that as it may, the streets in most towns have beoome suddenly peopled with fur-covered folk. These furs are many and various, but chinohllla is gaining rapid popularity, while beaver and astrachan trim mantles, pickets, and gowns indiscriminately. Fur, too, Is being mixed with laoe for evening dresses; but, to be successful, these materials trust both be of the richest quality, and, for this reason, each combinations must be left for the wealthy.  A very simple and yet stylish gown for girls of 15 or 16 is made with a round bodice finished with a narrow twist of shot silk to match the shaped revers and the full vest, which is arranged OD the bodice lining. The revers form a species of collar at the back, which is very effective in velvet, even with a silk vest, but velvet should be used for the twist at the waist. The gored skirt is simply trimmed with three bias tucks made up on muslin, and sewn on at the top edge, leaving the lower edge loose and free. A costume for girls of 14 to 16, require five yards of material, but these measurements only allow for careful cutting, and do not admit of waste.  I have been enjoying &regular banquet of blouses and have seen then high, low, trimmed, untrimmed, In silk or satin, in velvet or watered silk, and in nun's veiling. There is indeed a brave array of this truly fascinating garment, and an improved edition of "The Nita" claims my first attention, the improvement consisting in the tucks being striped at inch intervals with cream-coloured insertion. For home evening wear In pale colours, for everyday wear in black, there is no model more entirely satisfying, for it is guileless of any of the untidy looseness occasionally associated with a blouse, and it is almost universally becoming.  rhe res.dy•made jackets and capes this year are really remarkably cheap and remarkably effective; they are trimmed for the moat part with rows of braid at the waist and round the cape collars, and a narrow edging of fur makes its appearance on those of a superior quality. The three-quarter length jackets is the most generally adopted, and the tight-fitting coat finds favour amongst the multitude. A chic little cape for a young lady is of smooth beaver cloth. The three bands of trim• wing are brown velvet, also the collar, which is out in a very skilful manner. Yours lovingly,