The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-23

The first showings, the openings, in
other words, that give glimpses of the
glories that Paris has prepared for the
coming season are always awaited with
deep interest Just what one shall wear,
and just how one shall look in 1t, are
quite important questions, and they are
being discussed with even more than usual
vigor just now, with the memories of the
difficulties of selection that attended the
spring and summer millinery In mind
The airy angles, the tipsy fittings, the
general appearance of frivolity and In
security that marked the hats of last sea-
son are-let us be thankful-things of the
past. A quaint occurrences has, In most
instances, succeeded the frivolity, and
while there are many models that can best
be described as dashingly smart, still the
general effect is much more dignihed than
what we have been wearing.
That this is to be color season Is al
ready settled fact. Color reigns supreme.
The fashion-wise have already assimllated
the fact that it is color and line rather
than an abundance of trimmings that de-
clare the smart chapeau. Indeed, on many
of the imported models there Is almost
paucity of trimmings, but such as are
used are of the rich and costly order, and
proclaim their values In no uncertain man
ner.
the novel modes is their delightful cath
olicity. Each and every style, figure and
taste can be abundantly satisfied There
are charming little toques and turbans
for those who prefer the small chapeau.
There are huge cartwheel affairs for such
as believe that the large hat is the thing.
And betwixt and between those two ex-
tremes there are the quaint little French
berets, plateaux mounted upon bandeaux,
that are pitched TO just the right angle.
the Romney and the Natter styles-each
copied from the headgear most In vogue
during the periods of those artists-and
much resembling the quaint mob caps of
other days, although developed today in
other and widely differing materials, and
last, but by no means least, there is the
little sailor hat to be reckoned with.
The chapeau champignon, or mushroom
hat, Is to be tremendously favored. This
Is one of the few shapes that are equally
effective with any style of coiffure The
girl with the fluffy pompadour and the
girl with the Madonna colffure, with its
demure parting in the center, slight
waves on the sides and low knot confined
In a hair net In the back, will wear 1t
with the same charming results
Although 1t has been said that the swan
song OF the bandeau Is sung in the new
hats, 1t really would seem the other way
around, since this Indispensable little
Item is even more necessary than hereto
fore to the success of several shapes. 1t
is a modified bandeau, though, and 1t
makes itself far less obtrusive than here
tofore. In the little mushroom hats IL
serves to lift the shape well off the face.
and SO prevent the chapeau from present.
Ing the effect of an extingusher: while
In the small sailor that remains SO firmly
fixed In fashions affections 1t is posed
at the side or back-as may prove most
becoming-and gives just that little tilt
that saves the hat from the reproach of
severity and plainness.
Already there Is q contest for suprem-
acy between the felt hat and the velvet
covered shape. That the velvet hat will
be one of the standbys of the season, so
to speak, there is no doubt; but the soft
and flexible felts-the stiff-pressed felt
hat receives little or no attention at the
hands of the French deslgners-in a be-
wilderingly beautiful range of delicate col
ors cannot fail to win their due need of
applause and acceptance.
The ostrich plume, for trimming pur-
poses, Is relied upon by the mlliner more
than ever. There are countless presenta-
lions Of those to be seen. The long and
uncurled plume is the latest fantasy, and
at first glance 1t strikes the eye as being
unfinished. 1t will take some little time
for one to be accustomed to the change.
Other plumes, however, exhibit quite a
variety of curl, and the feather with the
trimmed quill Is one of the most insistent
novelties. Sometimes a closely curled
band of hues is placed along the quill.
covering 1t completely; again 1t is mara
bout strip, frothy ruche of malinette,
succession of little stiff velvet ribbon
BOWS, or tiny pleating Of Valenciennes
lace that goes to add to the rich effect
of the feather.
Plumage of all sorts is to be extremely
a la mode. Birds of paradise are In high
demand, and the vivid colorings are deftly
posed against dark felt or velvet back
grounds with excellent results All sorts
of feathers. long, light and airy In effect.
are SO manipulated that they will lend
themselves to well-nigh any trimming
scheme that the milliner may devise The
peacock feather has been RELOCATED to
the background Of things best forgotten
an overpopularity killed it-but tne place
has been adequately filled with things far
less bizarre
Among the pretty imported novelties
the small feather .turbans and toques
atand out most attEantivalz- Enr tina wnu-