Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 247, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 October 1912 — FEATHERED MILLINERY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FEATHERED MILLINERY

It is evident that the “Winter Cirl’’ is about to don a splendidly befeathered war-bonnet in which to go forth to her season’s conquests. When she starts there will be no lack of the pomp and circumstance of war so far as her head-decorations are concerned for the new millinery is simply one grand exposition of feathery trimmings. Whatever the winter girl elects to do the winter matron will do also, from the socially active grandmamma down to the latest acquisition to matronly ranks. Therefore, it is in order for us to become acquainted with the new feather things, and Ave shall find them immensely worth while. The great thing in their favor is that we may wear them with a clear conscience, or, better still, with a light heart. For few of them are anything more than the feathers of domesticated fowls and birds, cunningly worked into beautiful ornaments. And this is quite enough. Beginning with wings (which appear on al sorts of hats from plain pressed shapes to elaborately made millinery), we find them made in all sizes and many novel shapes. There are many butterfly in solid or two-color combinations, and many beautiful specimens of rich variety in colors. Small, brilliant feathers, carefully sewed to a foundation, present to us the appreciation of their designers of the wonderful beauty of nature’s incomparable colorings!* xThese “fancy feathers” as they are termed 7 millinery, open our eyes and make us more observant of the world of beau-

ty which lies in feathers. Wings are made in an almost endless variety of shapes and those medium in size or small are favorites. Next to wings, ostrich feathers are what is known as "ostrich fancies,” are best liked. These are used on dressier hats as a rule, although all feathers appear on all sorts of hats. Narrow bands made of ostrich feathers, long “quill” effects with curled heads, innumerable . wreaths and pompons and beautiful sprays and tufts of plumes are shown, in colors that are enchanting, and in the snowiest white and richest, glossiest black. The bird of Paradise is the ambition of those who dare think of being reckless with money and is worth far more than its weight in gold. The aigrette compels admiration but sells better in the Imitation than in the real feather, on account of the sentiment against wearing if and laws in some states operating against It. But, Imitations are good enough to answer its purpose, and there are plenty of airy substitutes. There are bands and breasts of feathers very handsomely wrought; those of the neck feathers of peacocks are especially brilliant, and the feather makers have covered entire hat-shapes with sma(l feathers, finishing them with wings designed for them. They are rich and somewhat expensive, but money measure distinction here for not many such hats are made and sold., • I

JULIA BOTTOMLEY.