Colour in a Hat an Important Consideration - Unbecoming Hats - How Jewels Should be Worn to Bring out the Wearer's Best Points - Dress as an Aid to Beauty

The rules given in the previous article, on page 4815, Vol. 7, on symmetry in dress as an aid to beauty, should be followed by these now mentioned, which refer particularly to colour:

"A black hat with feathers, or with white or red or rose-coloured flowers, is becoming to blondes; it is not unbecoming to brunettes, but does not have such a good effect; brunettes might substitute orange or yellow trimmings.

"A dead-white hat is only really becoming to white or rosy complexions either blonde or brunette. This does not apply to hats of gauze, crepe, or tulle, as these are becoming to all complexions. For blondes, the white hat can be trimmed with white, rose, and especially blue, but brunettes should avoid blue, and choose red, rose, or orange.

"A bright blue hat is particularly becoming to a blonde; it can sometimes be trimmed with yellow or orange flowers, but never with rose or violet. The brunette who risks wearing a blue hat cannot omit orange or yellow trimmings.

"A green hat sets off white or delicate rosy complexions. It can have white, red, and especially rose flowers.

"A rose-coloured hat must not be placed near the skin; it ought to be separated from it by the hair or a white trimming (green is still better). White flowers with a great deal of foliage have a good effect with the rose.

"The different shades of red hats are only advised for faces having too much colour.

"Avoid yellow and orange hats. A violet hat is always trying to fresh complexions; at least, unless it is separated not only by the hair, but also by yellow trimmings; only a brunette can wear a yellow hat with blue or violet trimmings."

With regard to jewels, the general verdict is that rubies, all red stones, opals, and diamonds are the brunette's choice, if she wishes her jewellery to enhance her beauty, whilst sapphires and turquoises are for the blonde. Yellow stones are given to the brunette. But a pure blonde can wear topaz and amber and gold, and call attention thus to her own golden beauty, whilst rubies do not necessarily become a brunette, and especially if she has a pronounced colour. No very young woman should wear diamonds, as they give the idea of age, and no woman with a sallow complexion would wear diamonds, with the idea of enhancing her looks, could she realise how trying this stone is to any but the fresh complexioned. Diamond earrings, too, seem to subdue the brightness of any but the finest eyes - let a woman who can choose note the difference to her looks if she substitute a pearl drop for the diamond. Only dark-eyed women should wear emeralds, and a light-eyed woman putting on a necklace of emeralds will at once appear to have dull and insignificant eyes. Because of the intrinsic beauty of precious stones, the wise woman uses them sparingly, except on those ceremonious occasions when the woman is merely representative of her position. For she sees how quickly jewellery gives the effect of over-dressing - in other words, puts the personality as mere background to ornaments. Dress with all its detail is indeed an important aid to beauty, but the adornment stands, or should stand, in the same relation to the adorned as an accompaniment stands to a song. The ideal accompanist always remembers that 'tis the song that matters, the accompaniment being made flawless and perfect, so that it shall fit the song smoothly and enhance it without obtrusion. And so, often in spite of dressmakers, is the beauty of the woman of first importance.