Fashion Notes from Paris.

The highest Paris mode gives expression to a joyous mood. It radiates a spirit that is contagious in its gaiety. Much attention is given to tiered and flared arrangements at present, because the most fashionable materials are soft and supple, lending themselves to subtle treatments. For the moment, there is nothing to exceed in smartness the transparent velvet frock, figured or plain. Velvet and crepe satin also are used extensively in combination. Black is of utmost importance, with medium tones of brown, blue, red, green and gay contending for special honours.

For youthful figures, semi-tailored effects in velvet and satin are highly approved. Especially smart is a design with nice basque bodice and gracefully flared skirt. Into the front of the skirt is set a panel of crepe satin, trimmed with buttons, while the basque has revers and vestee to match the skirt panel.

Speaking of panel effects, nothing is smarter than frocks in two tones of one colour, or all of one shade, with the panel made on the reverse side of the silk when crepe satin develops the frock. An alliance between straight and flaring lines always results in a youthful silhouette; hence the great popularity of the idea.

For daytime frocks, the jerseys and novelty flannels are in great vogue.

There are many waistlines near the tops of the hips, despite the prevalence of the low-posed waist. There has been little change in skirt lengths for daytime, and, although a hemline is often irregular, it is never sufficiently so to be below the coat hem.

Belts are an almost invariable feature, and they are expressed in many ways. Sometimes they are quite wide and extend only around the sides and back of a blouse. When the belt is omitted the blouse usually has an irregular lower edge to provide for a motif of hand-embroidery or, more fashionable still, the monogram of the wearer.

Coats are partial to wrap-around arrangements, only the sports coat limiting itself exclusively to straight lines. Where there is a flare it usually is confined to one side of the wrap. Furs are used for immense cuffs, bands at the lower edge of the coat and long shawl collars.

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