The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-12
FADs THAT FOUNDED FASHIONS.
The Reason for the Gatepost-Why
Men Wear Spats.

1lt-BltS.
The necessity of keeping in fashion has
become so general In these days that al
most every one Is more or less concerned
although the origins of many of the GUS
toms we follow so vigorously are as eccen-
trio as they are incomprehensible.
A gatepost standing in front of a house
be it of wood or stone, usually has a bali
at the head, and probably not one person
in thousand knows the reason why 1t is
nothing more than the survival of the bar
barrie fad of our forbears, who hung over
their gates the heads of their enemies killed
in combat All London public bridges and
gates were also adorned with the heads
OF criminals, and rather than let the Gus
tom die out altogether we have substituted
balls of wood or stone for human heads
Many men wear spats, not so much for
comforts sake as because il is the fashion
The Highland regiments originated this
practice as distinction in dress. and dur
ing the Indian mutiny these troops became
so popular in this country through their
bravery at Lucknow and elsewhere that
people sought to initiate their dress Chill
dren were clothed in Highland costume, a
custom that Is still in vogue and city men,
unable to garb themselves in the same
manner without appearing ludicrous,
showed their appreciation by wearing
spats, thus starting a fashion that has
since become universal.
A man wears two buttons at the back Of
his coat. though they are not of the slight
est use and cause people to wonder why
they are placed there. This fashion dates
from the time when all men carried swords
and our ancestors required these buttons
TO rest their sword belts upon. In this way
a city man in up-to-date attire tries to
keep green fashion which is two centuries
old, though, curiously enough, the dress he
dons for a friendly bout with the foils has
no buttons at the back.
Blue spectacles are still worm though
had 1t not been for Sir Ralph Abercrombie
and his fine work in Egypt in 1901 they
would probably be unknown. That great
soldier had spectacles mdde of blue glass
for his men to wear as protection against
ophthaimia caused by the glare OF the
desert sands. and after his victory at Alex
andria the fashion of wearing blue glasses
became popular throughout the country,
and still exists in modified degree.
Successful novels have more than once
founded new fashions. The Dolly Warden
hat had great vogue after IL was de-
naby Rudge." The Pamela hat likewise
took its name from the demure heroine Of
a popular novel published some years ago,
IL being specially designed by the writer
to further illustrate the sobriety of Pa
mela though at the time he was unaware
that he was founding a new fashion in
female headgear.
In 1880 all ladies dressed in white to be
in fashion. little knowing that "Ouida"
was entirely responsible for the absence
of color that season. Her famous novel.
Moths" had just been published. wherein
Vera, the heroine. is described as having
an eccentric fad for dressing I'm white.
The turned down collar, which every
| year becomes more fashionable. owes its
| origin entirely TO play When Mr.. Pine
| ro's fine work. THE Squirf," was pro-
| duced a ladies' collar was designed for
heroine. The shape became popular with
both sexes, and Is now more than ever
worn.
Thirty years ago craze sprang up for