Evening star., 1932-09-04

NARlS, august Zine triumph
u of velvet hats In Midsummer is
the most extraordinary thing
i that meets the fashion observers
eve at present. This flattering
fabric, hitherto reserved for Winter,
reigns supreme in the new Summer mil
linery, and at the races one sees more
hats in velvet than in straw, something
that has never been true before.
Explanation of this lies in its univer-
sal becomingness, for where Is the wom-
an whose features are not enhanced by
the soft richness Of velvet? 1t will
bring gentleness and repose into the
hardest and weariest faces, and ac-
centuate the exquisite femininity and
beauty of those more fortunate. The
dr essiest hats have always been executed
in this fabric, but now modistes are ex-
tending its territory, and making models
of a more general type as well, and
many believe the velvet hat Is right
now so successful because women, under
the strain of the depression. know 1t
can be worn throughout the Winter with
absolute fashion-safety.
Some turbans are seen and many
beret crowns mounted on an endless
variety of narrow brimS In the most
irregular contours; some turned up on
the left, some on the right, many un-
dulating with no special stress on either
side. Boldly placed in front and de-
scending slightly over the forehead are
velvet bows or punches Of flowers, in
variably contrasting, with the hat.
Black and dark navy blue are two colors
that you are sure to see often, and the
various ribbons used to trim these may
be all velvet, or silk with velvet dots
woven in a contrasting color.
These ribbons are employed not only
for the ever-fashionable bow over the
forehead, but also for every kind Of
trimming that can be achieved by ar
ranging ribbon in fanciful way.
*x*
IN some models in dark velvet with the
l. narrow brim turned up high to the
left, finely gathered loops of velvet rib
bon will be made into banda gar
land, one might call it-and passed
around the bottom of the crown on the
low side, then passed through a slit in
the brim at the point where the turn
I'D begins and carried along the under
side into the point where the turn-up
ends, where it again passes through a
slit to hug the crown again on the out
side.
Some delightful shapes Of this type
have been worn during the past week
bows of white silk ribbon, in which are
woven dots of the same dark shade as
the hat. One dark navy blue velvet
hat was trimmed in a bow of yellow
velvet ribbon, another in white velvet
ribbon. Velvet flowers are already ap-
pearing in abundance, too. The vel
vet has been treated In some manner
by which 1t keeps all its soft appear
ance but still retains smart stiffness,
SO that the flowers are erect and more
natural-looking than the familiar types
of the past.
Dogwood blossoms used on few were
so natural-looking that more than one
keen eye had to lorgnette them at close
range before being sure they were artifi-
cial This may sound strange In
America, where natural flowers on hats
have never been in vogue, but those
who live in Paris are familiar with the
sight that returns every season Of
few highly individualized Partisan wom-
en- wearing only natural flowers on
their hats. Mime. Gerber, who was
formerly Mile. Callot, and established
the dressmaking house of Callot Soeurs,
used to tell me of one of her rich
clients who had tiny gold vase made
into q brooch that could be pinned on