Passing over the introduction of the "bolero" coat and the brief revival of the early Victorian bonnet in 1897, we come in 1898 to one of the first instances of the Russian invasion--the appearance of the Russian blouse. _Punch_ describes it as the same back and front, with a kind of ruff below the waist which sticks out stiffly all round. It required four times as much stuff as was necessary, but provided room to stow away a fair-sized sewing machine without detection. The "Medici Collar," another novelty, or revival, of the year, is caricatured in a picture which gives the impression of a "bearded lady"; while the enormously lofty trimmings of hats are reported (on the authority of the _Daily Telegraph_) to have obliged carriage-makers to lower the seats of many closed vehicles. Knickerbockers had already gone out of fashion, even for bicycling, and _Punch_ unchivalrously compares them with the baggy nether-wear of Dutchmen. Skirts were still worn tight but very long, so long that the shade of Queen Bess is invoked to express her wonder how the modern woman could walk at all, and _Punch_ suggests a new occupation for the London street boys as trainbearers. In 1899 the new colour was "_rouge automobile_," described as _très-chic_ or _teuf-teuf_--the Parisian argot for the noisy motor of the hour. The _Hairdresser_ announced that "this year hair is to be worn green," but the statement appears to have been premature. _Punch_ again fulminates against the persistent Plumage Scandal--this time in a picture of the "Extinction of Species," typified by a ferocious fashion-plate lady with a plumed hat surrounded by plucked egrets. _A propos_ of headgear, it may be added that in the Coronation year of 1902 _Punch_ issued a Proclamation to all women not to wear large hats at the ceremony and so cause annoyance, vexation, desperation and profanity to sightseers. His Schedule comprises Gainsboroughs, Bergères, Tricornes, Plateaux, Lady Blessington, Rustic, Picture and Matinée hats--a tolerably comprehensive list.