Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-17
CORSETS FOR MEN.
Now on the Market and Are Too Sweet
for Anything.

for Anything.
From the Brooklyn Eagle
Worth, the great and only Worth, the
maker Of fashions whose name centuries
up visions Of frocks and frills, and mil
liners bills. of creations and "confec-
fections," for which the term dress is to-
tally inadequate; Worth. the longtime ca
terer to feminine frivolity, has opened a
new department which caters exclusively
to masculine vanity. OF course the world
at large knows that such an article is nom
existent. But Worth, poor, deluded Worth,
expects to make money on 1t. He believes
not only in it's existence, but in it's COM
mercial value. He has opened-whisper 1t
not 1t Gath!-a mems corset department.
He has visions Of foot ball and golf heroes
in animated discussion of the fit of their
stays.
1t has come straight from Paris and has
only just arrived. Three scions Of swell
dom were discussing 1t the other day in
a very exclusive mems Quitting shop on
9Th avenue. One Of them had a pair of
'em on, and his mates. after poking him
incredulously to make sure he was not jok-
ing, were filled with envy. and made an
appointment for private view. This for
tunate wearer who had actually found
something new under the sun assured them
that the corset was growing In popularity
in both Paris and London. and that not
merely among the dandies and theatrical
folk, but among athletes, military men and
men of affairs. He described 1t as a stiff
broad belt of webbing, stiffened at the
sides with steel bones" and worn under
the waistcoat. He assured an interested
audience that athletes and soldiers found
it particularly useful.
'It preserves, you know, the elegant
slimnesS of the figure. These fellows that
go in for athletics get so coarse and thick,
and, er-really, beefy, you know. And er,
the soldiers find corset a splendid sup
port. They insist it quite rests them. Such
preventive of fatigue, you know. Good as
a cocktail and don't leave any trace on a
fellows breath"
out whether the young Vanderbilts and
Goulds have bought theirs yet, but only
their Wallets know. and they won't tell. OF
course, the heavy webbing idea won't last
long when some of our masculine lilies of
the field begin to have their corsets made.
They are as dainty as girls, these young
men of millions. and If they are going to
wear corsets at all. they will wear pretty
lowered sateens and embroidered satins,
lace trimmed. Of course. One can fancy
the beau of a season hence anxiously con-
sulting his tailor about what particular
make of corset will best show the beauties
or hide the defects of his figure. One can
fancy the tailor in his turn tearing his hair
and exclaiming reproachfully:
but, didn't make that coat over those
stays, sir. You can't expect a garment
fitted over one pair of corsets to look
equally well over another!' On the whole,
it would seem as II this new speciality of
Worth's were going to add considerably
to the gayety Of nations. 1t certainly will
to the gayety of mems haberdashers' win
dows. If they follow the example of the
department stores and exhibit beautiful
lay figures with lovely curling mustaches,
and sweet pink and white compilations.
Think Of the damsels lined up before such
a window feasting their eyes on the mas
culine charms thus displayed!