On the opposite page (Fig. 58) is an illustration of the very latest
Paris bonnet by Madame Magnièr.
The foundation is heavy corded silk of cream-color, with an immense
wreath of Mignonette covering the front of the crown and drooping
gracefully to the left, with face-trimming of a simple knot of Bretonne
lace.
Fig. 59, designed and executed at Wadleigh’s, is a white French chip.
The face of the bonnet has alternate pipings of light-blue and cardinal
satin, with a shirring of the latter. The outside is composed of a knot
and twist of Sultan silk mingled with Bretonne lace, a fine wreath of
forget-me-nots, and drooping cardinal buds, with Bretonne lace ties.
Figs. 60 and 61 are also copies of the latest spring designs.
Fashion now assumes a most important place in the domestic economy of
nations.
[Illustration: 58 59 60 61]
Fashion is the only tyrant against whom modern civilization has not
carried on a crusade with success, and its power is still as unlimited
and despotic as ever. There is no part of the body which has been more
exposed to the vicissitudes of fashion than the head, both as regards its
natural covering of hair and the artificial covering of hats and bonnets.
For a long period the world has acknowledged the French to be leaders of
fashion. We look to Madame Virot, and other leading modistes of Paris,
from season to season, for what might be termed first ideas, but still in
all we are obliged to soften down and modify them to suit the more simple
taste of American ladies.