The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-09
Style and the Stage.
Is the HOOpskirt Coming in Again?
BY ADELAIDE THURsToN.

By ADELAIDE THURSTON.
Changes in styles have long been one
of the mysteries unsolved. Speculation
appears to be waste of time since real
ity and fruition are usually the contrary
of the expected.
II Is well known. however. that the ac-
tor and the actress are responsible in
large measure for many changes in pre-
vaiIing styles. Let a well-known star
or leading man appear in new play in
a new style coat. collar, or trousers. and
straightway you'll discover. IL the nov
city is attractive to the public, that tall
ors will be providing their customers
with these very things. When a tailor
hits upon something fetching and fanci-
full, he Is aware that there Is no surer
way to bring 1t into popularity than
through the stage door and thence to
the footlights.
Faversham's Gay Evening Dress.
case in point; last winter William
Faversham. in a new play at the En-
pire Theater. wore. instead of the con-
ventional black evening dress, a dress
suit of pearl gray, with a dark braid on
the trousers. Black has so long been
the prevailing color for evening clothes
that Faversham's pearl gray was cause
for wonder and amazement, It was not
long, however, before gentlemen wear
ing pearl gray evening clothes were
common sight in the Hobbies OF Boston,
Philadelphia. and New York theaters.
Again. the so-called peg-top trousers
haar h pnd oh
around the shoe This sort of thing was
common during war time; but has not
been seen in recent years. But Ethel
Barrymore and Captain links" came
along and presently all the Harvard and
Yale boys were wearing the peg-topped
trousers. just as a few years ago they
were wearing ones which were skin
tight.
During the first Patti craze every lady
had TO have a Patti hat" just as a
couple OF years ago Philadelphians were
wearing the Miss Bob White"-a hunt
ing cap made popular by Miss Sylvia in
the comic opera of that name.
Venal Stage Influence.
Innumerable cases might be cited
where the stage-or the actress rather
has Influenced styles. Apropos. Buff
falo manufacturing firm recently offered
a well-known female star a certified
check for s., 900 IL she would wear in a
play IN which she is to appear next sea-
son a shirt waist which the firm in ques-
ton is to put on the market. AS the
"star" was not in need OF cash. and
more especially as the waist did not
suit her ideas. the offer was rejected
But just watch out for something start
ling in the way OF shirt waists the COM
ing season.
But what has this got to do with the
hoop skirt, which is tabled to appear
again? Nothing except that plays which
call upon the actress to wear this hated
and berated skirt have proven very pop
ular OF late. and that the skirt in ques-
tion has seemed TO please and attract
the female element in audiences.
Julia Marlowe was most charming IN
the fare skirt in 1.-The Cavalier" and
the same may be said with equal truth
of Miss Ethel Barrymore in Captain
Jinks.' The biggest hit in Manager
Whltney's when Johnny Comes March.
I'M Home" was the be-hooped skirted
chorus
Imitation Is Limited.
I. too. have a special interest In the
hoop skirt just now for the reason that
next season 1 mustewear one in my new
play, Polly Primrose" by Paul Will
stach. Polly was girl of the early six
ties. and hence to be fttingly besklrted
must don the hoops.
Do l like the idea? I certainly dc.
only I am of the opinion that the new
hoops Will not. as the old ones. try to
rival the circus tents as to size In
these days of crowded cable and trolley
cars. the old hoop would not do very
we'll; it would. to put 1t mildly, be a /
menace 10 life. There can be a happy
medium even IN hoops.
Some years ago. IN Paris, Jane Hading
appeared in pretty little comedy. and
during the action OF the play wore a |
peculiar veil. Well, from that shour to !
this that particular veil has been known |
as the Jane Hadlng veil" But there
are exceptions. Just because Miss Viola |
Allen is to don dOublet and hose I'm her
big production OF Twelfth Night" next
season is no reason TO expect that every
young lady who has mislald her brother
should go about in male attire. The
hoop skirt, however. is very different !
matter.