New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-01-15
BY HENRI BENDEL
For NEA Service

New York. Jan. 15-There is
more than mere vanity in the para
mount interest hats hold for wo-
men.
of course, since hats can make
woman pretty or unattractive, it
is right that they should concern
the gentler sex. But fundamental
ly hats also deserve consideration
because of the keystone position
they hold in styles.
Hats are, one might say, barom-
eters for the mode. They reflect
changes more readily and easily
than frocks. gowns. suits or coats.
Colorful Hats-and Spring!
When hats grow colorful it usu-
ally augurs a colorful spring for all
the realm of womens wear. You
will remember that the ubiquitous
plain little felt of a few seasons ago
preceded the sports suit uniform
that practically all women adopted.
More recently, flaring brims. more
adornment, 4 change in outline and
increasing detail in manipulation of
materials in hats came before the
intricate fashions in garments to-
day.
Therefore. it is fitting that every
one concerned with womcn's attire
should watch hats. That is why
Palm Beach models hold such at
tention, because their changes will
reflect changes all along the line.
Variety Marks Straws
Variety of straws shown this
spring is the first noteworthy thing.
probably indicating the increasing
wealth of new fabrics for gowns and
ensembles. Balou. ballibuntl, bang
kok, Paris Meme, sisol, paillasson
and leghorn are seen in quantity,
though most of them are expensive
straws. Many of them introduce
novelty versions of their straw, lacy
interpretations. Color is always i'm
portant in spring hats. A bright
cherry red is seen often, soft rose
shades are excellent. Chartreuse,
pervenche> blue. Lilo blue, maize, IL
ldC pc1Sc, oll- " llilCo anu cNNoi .
clear light greens are perhaps the
best colors. Black hats are fewer.
A fine sense of intricate orna-
mentation that yet looks simple
distinguishes the best models Of
spring. Brims that slash and turn
back upon their own crowns for
decoration, giving unusual silhou-
cites are good. Some hats show a
preference for wide or irregular
sides. Crowns rise slightly. Rib
bons, fine flowers, feather fancies,
pins and wells adorn spring hats.
Now-the Scarf Hat!
The newest hat this spring is
the scarf hat. If one is old enough
she will remember the old auto
wells that used to swathe the huge
sailor and anchor it for that wild
ride in the open automobile OF the
19O0s. New scarf hats are beau
tifully fitting. tailor made 1928
versions of this hat and veil COM
bination. Many OF the little SCARF
hats are of fine felt, svelt and vast
ly becoming, with their matching
scarfs, their decoration as well as
accompanying scarf.
To illustrate, soft pastel pink
felt turban, cleverly cut with ir-
regular long sides, is swathed In
a matching scarf of twisted chiffon
cloth which threads through a slit
in the right side of the hat and
falls across the shoulders. extend
ing almost to the skirts hem.
Youth In This Hat
Illustrating the wider sides, one
OF which is apt to flare more than
the other. is d RebouX creation of
burnt leghorn. 1t is slightly poke
shaped. with its brim exceedingly
short both front and back and its
crown rounded in youthful way.
\ gay little FAM shaped band of
red, green, orange and yellow
grosgrain ribbon trims it.
The small hat has SO complete
ly won woman's heart that many
spring models are small. One Of
The newest is the hat that is a bit
more sprightly in the way it sits
than most small hats which snug
gle down on woman's neck. One
of these is a Chinese bangkok in
natural tone. which is an off bite
II has a folded brim which fash
ions a helmet shape. \ narrow
band of black grosgrain ribbon is
laced through the brim and crown
and tied in little bow at the
back.