Fine Millinery--Fall and Winter Hats 1899-1900

Today I am featuring the Fine Millinery Fall and Winter Catalogue from H. O'Neill & Co. in New York. Elaborate hats were fashionable for ladies at the turn of the last century, and featured ornate trimmings including bows, feathers and even actual birds. This catalogue includes beautiful color illustrations of the finished hats that were for sale. There are also black and white illustrations of untrimmed hats that could be purchased there. These plain hats are interesting because they show the basic shapes that were in style at the time. The illustration above features two well-dressed women shoppers, and offers a glimpse inside what appears to have been a very elegant department store.