The inhabitants of this metropolis, have been lately amused with the exhibition of the little low crowned, broad brimmed hats, about eight inches high, which are becoming very fashionable among the bon ton. It is really laughable to see a gentleman promenading Broadway with one, and to observe the ladies turn round, when he has passed them, and titter, and make such queer observations upon it! These hats make great sport for the girls, who are almost ready to declare that they will not be seen in the company of any gentleman, who does not wear one. It certainly produces great pleasantry, that is, if we may judge from the laughter they create in their little parties. The fact is, everybody smiles who sees them, every person who wears one smiles, save indeed the hatters, who are very warm in their recommendation, and who never laugh at all, except it may be in their sleeves. We hope they may be “all the go;” for every one, the moment he places it upon his head, smiles and capers about as though he had forgotten his miseries, and thought of nothing but his dandy hat. We want something new, something to make us happy, and if these little hats will have this effect, ” well and good.”
Why, Mr. Editor, would it not be a good plan for the ladies to introduce a new fashion for their hats also ? Suppose that they should wear large bonnets say about a foot and a half high, instead of the flats they now wear ? In this case, the gentlemen would become shorter, and the ladies taller., Then suppose, for the sake of variety, and variety you know is charming, that they were to reverse the order of fashion, and become beaux, take the outside of the walk, , do all the courting, etc. I fancy we should have more marriages than we now have. Or suppose we leave this till 1824, which will be leap year; and then, you know, that according to the good old custom, the ladies will have many privileges which they do not now enjoy. Pope.
Fall Races., The races on the union course, will take place on Tuesday, the 21st instant, and continue three days. Great preparations are making for a splendid exhibition. The spectators will be dressed in (not coursing, but) the new dandy style, with the big-brim, little-crown, sugar-loaf hat, and ” every thing to match.” The dress of the ladies will be ornamented with morocco belts and steel buckles, and ” all that sort of thing.” Barouches and beds are bespoken in abundance ; and “Master Jackey” is saving up all his pennies for the important occasion, while expection is doomed to stand three weeks on tip-toe !
From: The New York mirror: a weekly gazette of literature and the fine arts, Vol. 1. No. 10, October 4, 1823.