The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
HINTS AS TO SPRING MILLINERY.

The wiseacres who confidently
prophesied an approximation to coal.
scuttle bonnets and roomy crowned hats
in the spring and summer millinery
models are much out of their reckoning.
Wide of brim many of the hats are, but
such thing as crown large enough to
fit the head is scarcely to be found, while
the majority of the bonnets, toques and
turbans before they are trimmed suggest
dolls headgear rather than anything else.
Fnlls, pleatings, puffs, etc., of velvet,
lace, or silk projecting from the brim,
and which are much used, of course add
to the size and serve oftentimes to trans.
form a meagre, insignificant shape into
graceful, becoming one.
AS seen at the wholesale importers,
the assortment uf shapes is larger than
usual, but the season is hardly far
enough advanced to declare which will
be the favorite. It was learned, how
ever, that as to hats straight brims will
be worn more than ever, both with low
crown and in plateau style, slightly elon.
gated and turned up at the back. Where
the brim is curved the tendency is up.
ward rather than the reverse. For in.
stance, the popular shape of last season,
dropping at the sides and with a slight
elevation in the centre of the front, ls
sup erseded by droop or straight line in
front and upward curves on the side.
"The Gualdsman,"' with a decided role
upward on either side of generous dimen-
sions and with comparatively large,
fiat crown, is cited as one of the most
stylish and becoming of this years hats.
The sailor is with US again, the shape
somewhat disguised with loose puff of
velvet or other material falling over part
of the crown and the brim. Other than
low crown is not to be seen, but the
disposal of the triming in many instances
is ahead of last year in pyramidical
effect, with the base of the pyramid
located in the center rather than at either
end of the hat. Full cap-like crowns
caught into stiff, narrow band, repre-
senting one of the latest models, are
trimmed low and on the side. These
are made of all sorts of straw, twisted,
turftcd, braided and plain, chip, espec-
tally, which is soft and pliable, occupy
ing front rank. In fact the use of chip
aud all sorts of novel com binations of
fancy straw is a noteworthy feature, also
their diversity of coloring.
All the neutral tints We are accustomed
to have been supplemented with the
daintiest shades, such as pink, pale blue,
Nile green, lilac and many tones of red,
all of which, together with numerous
mottled varieties, including cream dashed
with brown, brown with red, ecru with
blue, and white with almost any color,
are procurable in both the large and
snail models.
Straw ribbons exquisitely variegated
in color vie in popularity with those
of silk woven in the most bewildering of
watered patterns in changable or shadow
effects.
From all indications flowers will enjoy
an unprecedented reign. Whatever may
develop later, it is certain the French
models to date show scarcely trace of
ostrich tip or plume, their place being
supplied entirely by flowers. Small hats
and bonnets made entirely of flowers
are sold by the wholesale dealers. the
retailer adding twist of ribbon, lace,
fancy straw, etc., to suit the whim of
the customer.
Worthy of comment in this years ex-
position of artificial floral beauty are
samples of the late prize chrysanthemums
and unusually beautiful varieties of green
leaves, which include many specimens
of the feathery fern family.
Green is undoubtedly one OF the lead
ing colors. Yellow and yellow and
black co albinei find equal favor. New
York Sun.