The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-04
BONNETS AND RIBBONS.
Novelties in Feminine Headgear for Spring
Improvements of the House Dress.
Philadelphia Times.

1t is only when two hats or bonnets of abso-
lutely distinct styles or in decidedly varied
shapes are compared that the wonderful differ
ence in the foundation of fashionable head cover
ings can be realized, for when looking through
assortments of uncovered frames and untrimmed
hats and bonnets they are found to be SO graded
and placed that their variations, the one style
from another, will not claim marked attention
until the eccentricities or grotesque fances are
discovered. And yet in the hundreds Of models
now exhibited no two exactly alike. In one
there is an odd curve hero: in another the curve
is there: crowns are higher or lower, brims wider
and varied in formation and arrangement, turned
down, up or under, or it may be simply roll or
wide flat piece extending half way up the crown
In one of the new shaped hats. which is des-
tined to be popular because it covers and will
hold the coil of hair in place. the crown is high
In front, slants back, and on top shows horse
shoe indentation; the rolling brim gives good
face effect to the stylish hat. Another novelty
has top of crown smashed in. not irregularly, but
in deep canoe effect third has crown arranged
in folds, and a new toque is twice the size OF
those before worn Other named crowns are the
hanson cab, the wedge and the crescent. where
the straw does not start from the center but is
carried from to Other varieties nave
the brms cloven at the back or sides, and again
they upturned in 2, distinct piece like bat
Element; the Spanish shape is shorter in the back
of hat, and the new Gainsborough has high
crown and wide brim.
Among the latest novelties in bonnets are
those with arched front; others have square
crown in the exact form of sugar-b bag, with the
lower edge turned upward. and then there are
bonnets with crown blocked as to appear
futed at its edge. The Marie Stuart bonnet
shows front bent over the face; the capote is
close fitting, and some bonnets are odd and ex-
travagant in formation. and naturally more
or less becoming, according to the tace of the
wearer The new crush bonnet is something ev-
cry lady ought to have for travelling purposes
Our European authority for this convenient sug
gestion says this bonnet meets generally felt
want in these days. when hundreds of persons
come by train nightly to metropolitan theaters and
other gayetes This bonnet is made without
any wire or other foundation, yet when on shows
sign of this, but is trim. jaunty and becom-
ing Some crush models are in plush others in
velvet, still others of surah or satin, and more
fancful specimens are of surah covered with silk
or point d'esprit lace. Such bonnet can be
slipped in the pocket without injury or carried
in small hand-satchel.
Only few ladies can afford to wear one of
the abnormally high bonnets, which very
funny when seer first from the back view.
These singular creations are in the paper bag
shape and are placed on the top of the head and
drawn up in folds to the full height, and are
trimmed with wings and tails of feathered fowl or
loops of etamine brocade, velvet other decora
tive fnishings. Strings are often used, but
sometimes the odd structure holds its place by
being secured by curiously headed pin, dag
GER or some one of the pointed novelties now SO
much used to fasten on hats aud bonnets.
About the most attractive of this seasons spe
cialtes the bonnets of jet-that is, the bare
shapes are covered with net work in large and
small jet beads, arranged in dozens of fanciful
figures, such az diamonds, hearts, floral designs
and even in the forms of insects and birds, as in
one the design consists of spider with chenille
body and legs of jet These jet bonnets
lined with silk in some color contrasting or
matching with that of the dress
Very few PLAIN ribbons are now used even
those with solid centers have fancy edge of some
kind either picot or fringed. and the narrow
is in greater favor for millinery purposes, al
though all widths may be found in the novel
ties. Gauze satin and velvet are often blended
in one ribbon the colors in each part material
being different Among dozens of kinds are fine
softcorded ribbons, with large tasseled picot
edges; also, those of soft surah. striped, and
showing pcot edge IN contrasting color A Gu
rious ribbon. with vandyked fringed edge. has
satin ground, upon which medieval designs are
printed in god tassel is placed between each
point scallop the edge. The gauze
ribbons show all kinds of stripes Wide ribbons
have Tartan stripes while others are in Oriental
colors and again there are ribbons with plush or
velvet stripe, alternating with stripes of embrod
cry on canvas. Plain corded ribbons have
square spots all over them, and those of Grape or
gauze are beautifully embroidered in exquisite
floral designs.