COMING MILLINERY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 260, 7 December 1914, Page 4

COMING MILLINERY.

STILL THE BLACK VELVET HAT. Last winter all kinds and shapes of black velvet hats were 'worn, until they became almost a livery. Certainly they were most useful articles, seeing that they harmonised with almost any costume, and were almost universally becoming-. So popular were they that it seems we are going to have a revival of them next Season. A fashion authority remarks:— In the autumn a great furore is-pre-dicted for the black velvet hat. So great will be its popularity that it will be as necessary for the completion of the wardrobe as the time-honoured coat and skirt. The bak-k velvet hat in "Canotier" guise has already made its appearance, and is usually trimmed with a single white water lily or rose or corded ribbon. Very effective, too, these wide flat-brimmed sailor shapes look with a white muslin or voile gown. Though fashion's demands for black velvet as regards material are imperative, she nevertheless allows a wonderful latitude in the shape and size of the hat. Practically any style and'shape that is becoming may be worn. This gives plenty of scope for invention and individuality in millinery. Another becoming shape is the big, round "sailor" with a broken edge to the brim. This is worn slightly tilted with the wider side of the brim upper-: most. A useful model has the brim bound

with narrow r black corded ribbon, while the. sole trimming is a big rosette of black velvetf edged with the ribbon. Smarter-looking is one with a white feather mount on the brim, which is edged with black and white ribbon. Then a particularly fascinating wid. • brimmed velvet sailor-shape is wreathed and mounted with burnt-pheasant feathers, and finished with a sequin, bird. -

Tricorne and foiir-cornered models—so-' suitable for the small-featured Woman, will also have a vogue. Also quite '' chic'' on the right wearer is the Glengarry hat of velvet.

Both satin and corded silk will vie with the velvet hat for favour later on in the season, and will be carried out in pure white as often as in black. The-velvet hat will also be expressed in colours, with a dress in the new Bordeaux red, the ehapeau will be en suite. Rather smart, for instance, is a bottle green velvet hat turned up either side, and trimmed with motifs of kilted ribbon in exactly the same shade. Boullonnee and kilted ribbon are distinct features of the new goods. For serviceable 'simplicity a widebrimmed dark blue velvet hat, that gives a pretty softening effect to the face, is recommended. The crown of supple folded silk~has its deftly-draped folds crossed scarf-fashion at one side.

Some weeks before there was any idea of a European war the powers that be had ordained that fur-trimmed hats were to, be a characteristic feature of the autumn fashions. Accordingly, a stock of pelts were secured, comprising sable, black, skunk, ermine, kotihski, marmot, and wolf. The fur is often seen; too, in alliance with such a fragile

fabric as ninon de soie. But in spite of its apparent incongruity, the combination is quite charming.