A MATTER OF TASTE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19766, 14 February 1927, Page 6

A MATTER OF TASTE

Sir, —We are told that some of out townsmen .think is necessary to procure “belltoppers,’' i.e. “stovepipe” hats for the welcoming of thc Duke and Duchess of York. I am too loyal a subject of our King to suggest anything to prevent their Royal Highnesses’ enjoyment of any innocent amusement. They will—as usual on such occasions—have plenty to laugh at and so let us hope that our townsmen in belltoppcrs will not be among these things, since such is quite unnecessary. If thc visit was being made in winter, then furlined coats and high hats might be appropriate, but in bright summer, or autumn, then something in keeping with it, such as la light grey suit, light grey Alpine hat, white waistcoat, light grey gloves, white or black tie would be more appropriate, and this, I believe —with a light-grey high hat—was the costume our late King Edward adopted at Royal garden parties. Then again, the Prince of Wales, on his visit to us, wore a light grey suit and light grey Alpine hat. We have seen our “Swtankers” in their “belltoppers,” also former Mayors on special occasions, when we could quite excuse rude boys shout ing, “Holler boys, another guy!”—Of all the bad taste in male headgetir, thc modern “belltopper” is th' most inartistic, the most picturesque, useless, and ridiculous. It also makes those who wear it look ridiculous, hence this tirade. Old conventional, ridiculous customs tire dying out in this 20th • centurv. A RATIONALIST