Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-03

N>-'N
 be indeed an anomaly who takes
 no thought as to whether her
 hat is becoming and who wears it simply as protection from cold ana sun. There is an ineXplicable mysterious charm about a woman's hat that IS possessed by no other article of her ward robe, and every season the same excite ment prevails as to what will be the fash ionable shape or color-a question that this season will puzzle the most learned in the art of millinery to decide, so many and so varied are the models put out for exhibition.
 The happy days have gone by appar- ently when one or two distinct shapes were labelled by fashion, and when professionals and amateurs alike strove to initiate as closely as possible the orig ina1 design. Now some one shape may dominate. be the most popular, as it were but there is no slavish following of every detail, and as much Individuality as de- sired is permitted, in fact, is encouraged, while in colors and trimmings there is the widest range of choice permitted.
 THE .MILLINER'S BILL.
 It might be supposed under such cir cumstances that a hat would remain Tn fashion indefinitely, but such is not the case by any means, and a last years hat often looks more hopelessly out of date ~shan does a gown of the same period. However, it is quite possible to have the shape remodelled, and then, with new trimmings, the hat will pass muster. Be it understood, though, that the cost of doing over an old hat is often consid-I erable, and in millinery more than in any thing pertaining to dress must the cost . be carefully calculated. unless woman be fortunate enough not to be obliged toI limit her expenses. A millinery bill, like a grocer's bill. presents one of those vague, intangible quicksands that should never be attempted without every step of the way being planned in advance. Incl large items are expected, the first cost of the hat, and provision is made there for. but it is the small (?i items in remod- ! cling, or the trimmings. if home work be attempted. that foot up such an alarming sum total.
 Prices for all hats have advanced stu pendously in the last few years, and the newest styles of the moment show a still further advance A hundred and twenty | or hundred and fifty dollars is casually | mentioned as the price of the newest and smartest models. Most charmingly tempt ing they are, with their exquisite patterns and trimming and their artistic shapes and colorings, but. fortunately for the great majority of women. ther2 are 10 be ! had many other shapes and styles that are also charming and effective, and, after all. | the most extravagant minded woman does stop to consider whether the hat is worth 1 such a price.
 Feathers of every kind and description will ornament the spring hats. hut flowers. tulle and ribbons arc tn he included aS well among the newest fashions At first glance it would seem as though. from th" | ostrich to the more prosaic ordinary barn yard rooster, there would be left not q 1 feather this summer. to judge by tho masses of every kind of plume with which i inc newest hats are laden. And yet some of the fashions that have already found favor, and with women whose taste IS unquestioned. arc the most simple in con- struction and treatment. In all weayes of straw tulle. lace and net, for instance. are most charming mosi"Is trimmed entirely with flowers and leaves or with bows and folds of tuIle, silk or satin. The tulle snd lace bows are hecumin--im-' mensely so-but already they are too pop uiar fo be as smart as i~ desired for 8 fashion to continue any length of time. LARGE OR SMALL HATS.
 Win large or snail hats tr worn is 2 question of much import "a the feminine mind. snd the answer so rsr gwen is not sn satisfying as misht be desired Both will be worn. and whichever is the more becoming will hc chosen. The rationaII medlum size hat is not often t1 be noticed. perhaps because the exaggrratedlv large Or equally exaEgsratesily small rhaIisBEe- attention. The fur tgqus oT turbau tha' becsme fashionable st Christmas time Is the exception to the Fuie snd is now copied in tulle or in the sli flower to,Iue sfyIa that never -nes quite out of fashion. This Is a universally h~cnming shape. and quite as effective in iEs tulle and flow CTS as t was in the rar snI vslve- c, . s-ss- sF .ha vrF-fa- E. K r--zssb-r -, make such vsriation- tns- zH ibe trimming | ss te insure it's beng b-opmiuz Ther-I shcu8 be something hzEh ah-ut it in @ | Fo1zcz of fszthers- DOW of rls6,u- |