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The ermine toque is a woman whom Miss Brill observes in the park. She unexpectedly meets up with an acquaintance, a gentleman in a grey suit. She is an older woman, having bought her hat “when her hair was yellow.” Now, everything about her—hair, face, eyes—matches the color of her hat. Ermine are small weasels, and their white fur lined royal robes in Europe. But the hat, once fashionable and regal, is now old and shabby, and so is the woman wearing it. At first, the woman expresses delight in seeing the gentleman, chattering to him about her day and the beautiful weather. He responds wordlessly by blowing cigarette smoke in her face and walking away. Rather than being crushed by his rude behavior, the woman recovers her equanimity and sets off in search of friendlier connections. She contrasts with Miss Brill, who observes life as an outsider, wishing to be a part of it, but not having the courage to seek out real connections. By not giving the woman a name and instead calling her “the ermine toque,” Mansfield emphasizes Miss Brill’s alienation. Miss Brill sees only the outward appearances of people, not getting to know who they are. The narrator emphasizes this point with her view of this woman: the ermine toque is what she wears.
