The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-16

its own peculiar hat-habits, and stu
dent of such matters would be able to
know a Worcester girl If he met her in
the wilds of Central Africa, provided
she had on a hat.
This isn't meant to imply that Wor-
cester is not stylish, or that her people
are eccentric; ii is put forward to show
that they have minds of their own.
Smaller cities, and larger ones,
too, throughout New England and the
eastern states must follow patterns
set by New York or Boston, and do not
dare have ideas of their own respect
ing hats. This is not the a.. = with
Worcester Worcester has i r been
a slave to metropolitan dictation.
1t is a pretty compliment to the taste
of Worcester women that they display
better judgment in the selection Of
wearing apparel than those of more
cosmopolitan communities. AS a gen.
eral rule, hats bought here are of a
more quiet and dignified type than
those worn in either New York or Bos-
ton. This year the prevailing shade 10
violet with its numerous variations,
and, of course, the Complementary
color, yellow is demanded. There is
more yellow used this year than last,
and the favorite shades asked for in
Worcester are the heliotropes and Law
enders for violet shades, and the light
er lemon yellOws are used here in pref
erenee to the more glaring oranges.
Two years ago when cardinal was
used extensively, Worcester women in
sisted on using green in combination, a
natural desire developed by good
taste. 7--a- -.----
One reason for Woreester's individu-
ality is the number of large millinery
firms established here They supply
practically all the hats worn I'M the
city and vicinity, and have large corps
of trimmers and sales people who
know the tastes of their customers and
are intelligent enough to follow them.
It follows that no one firm departs
to any extent into extreme lines, and
the fashion of the place is kept uni
form. Of course, some extreme styles
are made and kept on hand, but it Is
seldom any are sold to Worcester resi-
dents. uerT
The profits on these come from the
transitory trade, from theatrical peo-
pie and the like.
Hats may be had for 50 and up to $50,
-according to the trimming and design.
The highest priced are the imported
hats, which are bought by the dealers
chiefly to be used as patterns A pat
tern hat costs in the first place much
more than the value of the material
The Paris designer sets a large price on
her brains. Then the duty is so per
cent. and when it comes to selling the
hat, there is no profit made by the
dealer. Very often pattern hats are
sold for less than cost. --t-+ tan ea-
The average price paid by wealthy
people in Worcester is from SIS to 500
while those who cannot afford so much
buy trimmed hats, ranging from 50 to
So In every case the same good taste
seems to prevail. The cheaper hats. are
not gaudy, covered with poor ribbonS
and flowers, as is often the case else
where, but are neat, unoste1fafious
affairs with no attempt at showi-
ness. -15.-
Walking hats and sailors are not sold
readily early in the season. but for
summer knockabOut wear are fine
leading goods sold. The tendency of
spring millinery is toward the dress bat
neat pretty, and necessarily more ex-
| pensive that plain sailors. but much
more becoming to most faces.
| Another thing of which WorceStay.
women have to be nroud is their re-
putation for being able to trim tbair
own hats. At all OF the large estab-
| lishments there are shown lines NJ
| frames and trimmings, which are sold
readily
| \ large number of women b,,,, the
| frames and trimming and do the mill
ner's work at home for economy's sake.
| 1t is not always the best sort of econ
| omy, though for who has moi hoard =
| girl say: Look at the fright Mrs a
has on her head. I'll bet She made -
herself And it's ten to one She wins