STYLES IN BONNETS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 9138, 8 November 1890, Page 4

STYLES IN BONNETS.

While almost any bonnet is permitted with the India silks, still it must be confessed that the flower bonnets are the daintiest of all, and seem specially made to accompany these costumes. A woman must not be stout, must not have a red face, and roust be tolerably young to wear one of these chapeaux; otherwise she will look ridiculous, a something that a woman must dread. The toque of violets is still in vogue—although the violet is cited as modest, yet, as the most luxurious people in the world, we have trained it out of its modesty until it appears made of rich, royal velvet, and looks an aristocrat to the last degree. Very delicate tints are possible in the velvet, and though it seems a little curious to have the woodland flower developed in the purple of kings, yet the artist has so cleverly copied from the real blossom that, after all, the rich material is accepted as an improroment. A very refined little bonnet is of gray erfepe de Chine, drawn over a skeleton frame. The brim and crown are all in one. The trimming is a monture of brown leaves, the shades being all of the wonderful browns such as autumn gives to us. Just in front they are massed a little closer together, while they are smaller and less thickly placed at the sides and back. The ties coming from the back are of brown velvet ribbon. The contrast of brown and grey seems a unique one, but is very French. All bonnets, except those intended for country wear and having the avowed intention of shading the face, are small; so that while in many cases very expensive trimmings are used, so little is required that a really handsome bonnet is within the reach of everybody. The flowers not only copy those of the field and hot-houso but copy them so accurately that at a short distance it is difficult to decide which is and which is not real. The chapeau, entirely of rosebuds, Is chic; but the bonnet, which seems to be made of fine grass, is rather newer than any other. j