Huntsville gazette., 1881-07-16
BOnnets and Hats.

This article is not intended for those
fortunate women who are blessed with
unbounded pin-money, and are hardly
aware that their attire is growing shab-
by before it is replaced by newer articles
of wear; but for girls who are obliged to
dress upon matter of fifty or sixty
dollars per year, a few hints on economy
may not be out of place. Judicious
shopping is the first thing to be consid-
cred; as you want to get the best return
for your money, never be ashamed to
refuse an article at one store if you know
that you can get precisely the same
article few cents less at another. Be
content with durable rather than orna
mental things; do not attempt to dis
play every fashion upon your back, but
choose one that has just come in, and is
likely to last. First on the list of arti-
cles of wear are hats. Every lady should
have good black felt hat, round, and
trimmed with broad ribbon. You can
get one for dollar or dollar and a
quarter. They will come in for morn
ing or any rough wear; they vary the
toques in winter; and for those wet and
doubtful days in spring, summer and
autumn with which our variable climate
abounds, they are simply invaluable.
Such a hat will last two years. In sum-
mer, of course, you must have a white
straw hat, but not more than one new
one for a season; and the best one OF
the preceding year should do for COM
mon wear the next year, without a
penny being expended on it. A great
many shapes are not out OF fashion at
the end of even three seasons. Be sure
to choose shape that pleases you, and
then adhere to it. If you are large,
wear wide -brimmed hats whenever you
can; if small, avoid them. Ii you can
trim your own hats you Will save
a great deal; if you can not, learn to
do so as soon as you can. Study
the hats in store windows, and practice
| on an old one, with the assistance OF
some good-natured friends who can give
| you a hint or two Do not be discour-
aged if the first attempt has a home
made look, but persevere. Feathersare
too expensive to be often indulged in.
But I should advise your beginning with
a good white, or brown and white one.
1t is great outlay, know, but it saves
in trimmings, beside giving style to
the hat or bonnet, and it. outlasts good
many punches of artificial flowers. So
that I consider it the cheapest in the
end. After the feather becomes too dirty
for wear, it. can be cleaned, say twice
over, then having been dyed a dark
brown it will end its days by embellish-
ing the best winter hat. By watching
the especial bargains advertised by
most merchants at the end of the sea-
son, you can buy a good one very cheap,
and it will last four or five years. What
have said in regard to summer hats
applies equally to winter ones. 1t is
impossible to lay down hard and fast
rules about shapes and prices. But il
any kind of toques should be worn as
much as last winter, choose one in pref
erence to straw or beaver hat. For
with wire shape and three-quarters of
yard of material that matches the
dress you usually wear, you can easily
manufacture one for a small sum, and
that, together with the felt hat before
mentioned, will be all that you would
want for every day for the whole winter.
If you can afford one of dark velvet,
trimmed simply with a wing or plume,
to vary the others, so much the better.
Thus, at small expense, you will own a
collection of hats suitable for the needs
| of any lady. .-E1chdnqe.