New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-30
THE DECLINE OF TIE CRUSH hat

There nev-r was n better example Of fashions
iron rule, regardless of considerations OF comfort
or convenience than the decline of the crush hat.
This has long proved itself a very useful article
of furniture The man in evening dress at
theatre or concert could reduce his hat in twink
ling to the thickness Of pancake. and let 1t lie
easily on his lap or place beneath the seat where
it rested securely. At an evening party, if no
was troubled to know what to do with his hands.
as men usually are, and had scrupes about slowing
them away in his pockets he could carry the crush
hat gracefully in one hand This took the place
OF the fan in the hands of lovely woman, though
there was less excuse for it, The hat played an
important part too in the vicsstudes Of the dress
ing-room or at large entertainments the courtroom.
The lattened hat could he laid within the folded
coat from which it would emerge in perfect con-
dition, and without the delay caused by separate
checking. 1t lent itself TO many uses, which were
impossible with any other head gear; and while
certainly far from being a thing Of beauty, it DEM
onstrated its right to being by meeting many OF the
little emergencies of an artificial civilization
But change has come in the fortunes OF the
crush hat. 1t is slill worn by some who are too
conservative to change old habits easily, those
who do not keep the keenest watch Of the fashions
but the man about town, the man who prides
himself by promptly adopting every mutation Of
style has entirely discarded it. The result has
been of course that the great body Of men who
follow the style without ever thinking OF setting
it have discarded il also. Many worthy man
now wears a stiff tall hat with evening dress to
the theatre and finds it burden on his hands,
without knowing why he does it, II there is a
little rack under the seat to hang it by, he sus-
ponds it there and finds himself in comparative
peace Of mind. unless and then he doubles
10 far ,nIa fba and ..x1.o
shining surface. II the hat is literally on his
hands, he finds it a good deal Of responsibility.
It is a bother to have it on his lap. II he puts it
ON the floor, IL may be kicked over by neighbor.
or be used for q spittoon. No matter what he does
with it, it is pretty sure to emerge at the end in
a frowzy and rumpled state. There is the round
hat of course and an occasional man who esteems
comfort more than. conventionalty will wear
soft hat which he can put in his pocket The
rigid observer Of the of dress, however will
not lower his art standard by airy such concessions
20 personal ease but will adhere to the tall hat at
any sacrifice.
The social student who seeks to discover the
reason for this change can only get vague init
n alton that the Prince Of Wales has been seen TO
appear in evening dress without crush hat.
The Prince is authority enough Of course, for any
revolution in fashions, and he could not do any
thing in which his New-York imitator wouldn't
rcsolutely follow him, unless 1t was, perhaps, to
box with Sullivan. The Prince ought to be
careful of his actions He holds many precious
lives in charge The imagination trembles at the
thought of the dangers to which numerous not
oversturdy American youths would be exposed If
the Prince should suddenly take to wearing kits.
or low-necl1ed dresses. for that matter. Whatever
be wore they would wear 1t too, regardless of risk
expense or appearances
Meantime the matters sell compromise crush
hat Of satin for those who like IL and at the same
time do nos Wish TO seem dislOyA 10 the Prince.