The reign of the toque seems to be more secure this spring than ever. Indeed, the bonnet, _pure et simple_, with strings, is nowhere, except for very elderly people. _Plateaux_ of straw and crinoline are much used to pinch into any becoming style; and all kinds of fancy straws in every hue are prepared for toques. Many floral toques are seen, and only one kind of flower is used to make them. It has been quite remarkable this year how early the most summery-looking hats have been worn. Rose-covered ones were seen as early as the beginning of March, and plenty of white ones in the Park. All the new toques are full and high in the front, with some scraggy-looking tips straying upwards; and to many people they are not becoming, the essence of a toque being, I think, the snugness and closeness of its fitting to the head. In the way of colours for cloth costumes, I see all shades of grey, stone and drab, petunia, and blue of several shades, but I should say that greys are the most popular. Mauve toques and hats are really becoming a kind of uniform; they are so much worn; and every second woman wears violets. It is said that all woollens will speedily become more expensive as wool itself has gone up; the reason of which lies in the prolonged drought of last year. Cotton is also said to be in the same case, and from the same reason. Let us hope that this will not last long enough to incommode us. The two sitting figures in our illustration show the prevalent styles of the present spring. The one on the left wears a gown of electric blue, and a short jacket with rounded fronts. This and the narrow flounces on the skirt are braided with black braid. The revers on the jacket are of cream-coloured satin, covered with cream lace. On the right hand, the other sitting figure wears a purple cloth dress, which is scalloped with white; the front is of white cloth, with white lace at the neck. The hat on the left is one of the newest ones, with a square-topped crown, and the brims slightly turned up on both sides. [Illustration: IN SHEPHERD’S PLAID.] “In Shepherd’s Plaid” shows us one of the prettiest of this season’s models, and so youthful-looking that it will be becoming and suitable for quite a young girl. It is made of silk; the yoke of the bodice is of deep rose-coloured silk, with _écru_ lace edging. At the top of the sleeves are bands to match, and the rosy hue is repeated at the waist and at the top of the flounces on the skirt, which are also trimmed with two rows of black velvet. Black velvet rosette bows are on the bodice. A small white hat is worn with white tulle trimmings and white tips, and velvet bows under the brim. It will be seen that all the dresses worn are slightly trained, and that fashion has banished the comfortable short skirt which we have enjoyed for the past year. From what I notice, however, some women are not disposed to leave it off so easily, and I daresay we shall see it made for really useful gowns.