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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 1 (April 1, 1936.)

Mainly About Hats

Mainly About Hats.

At times the fashion change from season to season is imperceptible. Skirts drift up or down, fullness is gently added or abstracted, waist lines move quietly up or down, sleeves are unaggressive—even hats tilt or droop in slow movement.

* * *

But this year everything is brusque, new styles challenge the eye, fabrics and groupings startle even the unobservant. Take hats! Courage and the military mode go hand in hand—for it requires courage, this change from the soft beret shapes or the picturesque wide and drooping brim to the upthrust of militant feather on a fur shako, or the shovel brim on a soldierly cap.

* * *

It all began, I believe, with the Breton beret. Since then, the archives of history and the colourful places of the world have been searched for the picturesque. The headgear of the Cossack, the French Legionary, the Merry Men of Sherwood, an Italian madonna —all have been recklessly adopted and adapted to grace the hat salons of Paris.

* * *

And what does it all amount to? A formal hat or a cocktail hat, a length of velvet and ribbon, a wisp of veil, a twist of felt or velour, to be worn a month or two and then discarded. A fuss about nothing? Let me whisper that I am inclined to think so Everything can be overdone—especially clothes.

* * *

I am reminded of a youthful riddle, “Why does the miller wear a white hat?” My guesses were many, straining possibility. The answer, “To cover his head” deflated my imaginative bubbles and caused me to think. Why do we wear hats? To show off our waves (the product of our hair-dresser), our profiles (ours through no virtue of our own), our purses or our pride? Let us apply the two criteria of suitability and appearance and we will not make mistakes.

In summer, hats to shade from the sun, cool light hats of porous material, coloured and brimmed to suit us; in winter, hats warmer and darker, closely and comfortably fitting the head even in windy weather, shower-proof for wear with rain-coats—of happy colourings and shapes for us.

* * *

My favourite hats this winter will be the Robin Hood, gay quill in high crown, right for sporty occasions, for winter walks; and a soft velour, peachbloom in finish, with a rolled brim of medium width, adaptable to any type of face, soft and flattering to young and old.