FEATHERS ARE FASHIONABLE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 262, 9 December 1914, Page 4

FEATHERS ARE FASHIONABLE.

The return of feathers to style for hats is most welcome, for they always elaborate even the simplest costume. There is no hint of willow plumes; the new ostrich feather is made into fancies of all kinds. The tiny feather tip has come back, feather wreaths or a halo of ostrich fronds are seen on the very large new picture hats. Feathers are even plaided; that is, the colours used in the plaid dresses arc repeated in the pompons and flower-like ornaments. Thistle tops, huge in size, are made by straight feather fronds radiating from a velvet or frond calyx. Chrysanthemums and thistle shaped flowers of feathers stand out from the hat brims as cactus grows 011 a shrub. Two colours are used more frequently than one in the ostrich feather clusters. Burned feathers replace aigrettes. There seem to be now three sizes of j fashionable hat.' The very small toque! or caplike shape is reserved more for J the morning tailored clothes. Small hats have not been in style for a number of years—the small brim with the t squall crown. These have now made a reappearance, and look very odd tilted on the head. The large hat with brim of extraordinary size that is not of even circumference throughout but of very suave curves has a very small crown; the decoration encircles it and lies on the brim.

Aigrettes, curled, aud paradise are still seen; these, liowever, though preserving their elegance, have not the newness of feathers. Both large and small hats are black, deep brown, blue, or plum velvet, but of such a deep shade that they can be worn with black r )v contrasting coloured dresses.