HATS OF THE MOMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1990, 21 February 1914, Page 11

HATS OF THE MOMENT.

FADS AND FANCIES OF WOMEN.

[BY IMOGEN.] The great attraction in the shops just now is tho new season's goods, and, strive though ono may to shut out from one's mind the creeping reminder that summer is passing, 'the sight of tho autumn hats in tho windows only too emphatically confirms tho suggestion. The pleasures of anticipated possession aro sadly tempered by the realisation of summer's briefness. It would bo a very difficult person who cannot find something to please in the new fashions as regards hats, not that there is anything startliugly new in shapes or colours or trimming, for tho difficulties of creating anything really novel seem to bo becoming more and more severe, owing, 'it is said, to tho fact' , that designers have so littlo time to work out their ideas. With tho fashions it is a oaso of here to-day and gone to-morrow, and, if every now and again, the new creations Lave a suggestion of frenzy about them, who can wonder?. ' ■

Apparently one of the favourite ideas this winter is the turban shapes, many of which.are carried out in black velvet, swathed perhaps with fur, or clso finished at the side with an upstanding plume or with tall stalky flowers. It is interesting to learn that the ideas for these have been taken from studies of ancient and modern peasant head-dresses, aa well as students' and clerical caps. In various shapes and'sizes tho black' hat is to ho with us this season, and many of them have full tam-o'-shanter crowns of white panne or white brocade, and aro crowned with tall drooping white ostrich feathers. They aro very becoming, especially when they aro of black panne, but, as is practically always the case, when the wave of fashion reaches our fihores it is l usually receding in favour of some other fancy on the other side of tho world. Other tones in velvet that aro to bo seen in the turban hats are a very deep torra-cotta, purple, grey, and deep shades of blue;—sapphire, royal blue, and another shade almost purple. Other colours that will apparently be very much in favour this winter are all sorts of flame shades, nasturtium reds (or tango reels), and all the varieties of geranium pinks, and reds, and these are usually toned down'by combining them with black. It may bo with velvet or with jet ornaments, flowers, or feathers, Probably flowers have never been so beautiful as they are this season. The great velvety things ha.vo been exquisitely modelled and tho richness and variety of colouring have never been surpassed. Small hats will certainly be very much worn this autumn (and winter too might iusfas well bo added). Many of them

are boat-shaped, with brims turning up inthe front and gradually growing in height as they recede from the face. Soveral are trimmed with wings or mounts that sweep backward from the right side oF the crowri and are decidedly attractive looking. There arc a few models to be scon of small velvet hats, exceedingly pliable, that fit right down over the head and ears, their only' trimming being an erect mount standing on guard in'.the front. Nothing save" the face of the wearer is visible. There is much to recommend them ■ for Wcllinston wear in the winter, but they would have to. be very small, otherwise they would not keep their-shape. Quite a number of the autumn hats are trimmed with flowers, aud a charmins; model was to be seen of golden yellow straw,- the black brim turned up high on one side, with a very -tall sfalky pair of black flowers, fastened with a rosette of yellow satin, and having an outer border of the same yellow shadn of straw. Round the crown* was mossed a thick wreath of beautifully shaded orchids, rich bronze, red, and madder brown in colour., ■ . Ono is told that white hats will have a Yogtin this winter, either in velours, panne, satin, or brocade, and, worn with white- velvet or corduroy coats and skirts, trimmed with dark fur, thev would, have a rather charming effect. Another prophecy'is that the upright feather effects that have been worn nlrondy for come timo will bo absolutely nothing to, the- upstanding ones that will ninko '. their appearance .shortly. After all, lifo would ho nothing without its freaks, so I>y all moans lot us have caricatures. In anv case hats to-day are freaky, independent-looking things, suggestive of the times wo live in. The fcalp was Riven you t« jrrow hnlr make it do its work. MISS MILSOM , , Hnir Physician, will. diagnose your case (free of charge), and prescribe tho necessary preparations, and teach you how to uso them; wh°thor your hnir bo too dry, too greasy, gray, thin, dandruff, irritation, etc. There is not a preparation existent in itself that will ■ make hair prow, but long experience, study in science of hair, and successful treatment, with tho combination of proper preparations, has solved tho. secret. All treatments, shnmppoing, face massage, clipping, manicuring, hairdrossing taught. Hair-work of every description. Natural Hair, Parisian Rings (used instead of hot mds.) Advice gratis by mail. Miss Mlsain, King's Chambers, AVillis Street, Wellington.