ice we are
going to expect from it. Every article of a costume should be related
and harmonious as to color, outline, and suitability. The result should
be a perfect whole without a single discord. How often we see a green
skirt, mustard-colored coat, and a bright blue hat--each article
pleasing by itself, but atrocious when worn collectively. Bright, gay
little hats are pleasing when seen seldom, but we soon tire of one if it
must be worn daily.

Time and our best thought are well spent in planning our apparel. The
proper clothing gives us confidence and self-respect, and the respect of
others. To be well dressed is to be free from the thought of clothes. We
judge and are judged by the clothes we wear--they are an outward
expression of ourselves, and speak for us, while we must remain silent.

"Simplicity is the keynote of beauty"--no one article of clothing should
stand out too conspicuously, unless it _is_ the hat. Nature uses bright
colors sparingly. If you look at a plant, you find it dark near the
ground, growing lighter near the top with its green leaves, and then the
blossom; the glory is at the _top_. Everything in nature teaches us to
_look up_. So the hat should be the crowning glory of a costume, the
center of interest, and should receive the most careful attention as to
becomingness, suitability, and workmanship.

CONTENTS

I. EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS 1

II. COVERING FRAME WITH VELVET 15

III. FRAMES OF NETEEN AND CRINOLINE 31

IV. WIRE FRAMES 35

V. ROUND CROWN OF WIRE 44

VI. HAT COVERINGS 54

VII. TRIMMINGS 68

VIII. HAND-MADE FLOWERS 78

IX. REMODELING AND RENOVATING 100

ILLUSTRATIONS

SHOWING SHAPED BRIM OF NETEEN WITH RIBBON-WIRE BRACES BASTED IN
PLACE 4

SHOWING METHOD OF FITTING FABRIC TO SHAPED BRIM 16

SHOWING UNDER FACING OF BRIM PINNED OVER WIRE READY TO SEW IN
PLACE 16

VARIOUS PROCESSES