New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-08

2MS Tho ~ dress present o%sH SOME T1S % MODES
THE TRAIN REFORMS
This Frivolous Appenddge Re
fleets Spirit of Times.

Tired Of their loveliness2 Jamaisl' ex-
claimed the very high priestess to the I'M
porter de luxe. "Why, l will go until I
drop on the trail of the latest novelty
And 90 It was that, diving within vault
OF mahogany framed mirrors, she emerged
exulting 60 display the very latest thing
in trains-a train, long and slim and point
ed Of peach faille Yes. there have been
Ions slim trains Of peach and also plum
before. but truly never was there such a
one as this for this train wasn't really a
train at all-not a whole one. that is, only
half. and II hung only from one side.
strange 10 say It didn't look unsym-
me,rical a bit. and was Just as fraceful as
the end Of q scarf or shawl that might
slip so as to sweep foot or two behind.
And the finest thing about IT was that on
account Of all It's slim pointedness, It could
b. folded up under the arm on the side that
hadn't any train and the pointed end slipped
into the girdle, making a very good draped
design for the back and getting itself en-
tlrely out Of the way when its wearer might
want to dance
And. for dancing 10 have a train 50 sue
ccssfuly disposed Of is a very great relief
For with fans and dance orders and scarfs
10 mold on 10. IL Is no end annoying TO have
ones train always hanging from a cord or
ribbon strap that cuts into ones arm and
twists ones glove and looks pretty silly
ANYHOW. as though one were forced 10 carry
about ones excess wardrobe. Which is the
reason why trains are so seldom seen at
dances. or at any but the most sedate, mid
die aged and formal ones at which one
wears ones best dinner gown and expects
10 he bored into stateliness.
Now. this folding-up train arrangement
is an expedient for combining the two hith-
erto unreconcilable types. the dinner gown,
which according 10 all precedent must trail
itself into a feast and the dancing frock,
which for the last two or three years has
decidedly refused 10 do anything Of the
kind.
The next exhibit marked another stage Of
train evolution. With all this talk about
increased cost Of living and extra strain
on everybody, the train has come to feel
that il is not enough TO trail round Ian
ruidly and inspire awe. Upon occasion it
must be able 10 keep out from under foot
and not be carried, eltner. hlIHeIlO the
train has been the most helpless. clinging
vine effect imaginable. Now, grown clever
I'm this age OF subway courtesy and suffra-
gettes, it learns how to look out for Itself
and fasten up underneath on row Of
snap hooks
II was a very plutocrat among garments
that thus threw the influence Of wealth
and position into the cause Of common
sense and comfort. Among evening coats
a thoroughbred was this, a pure blooded
French product heavily embroidered in
white and silver all that wasn't white fox,
antique flet lace and ruby satin lining.
It's claim 10 novelty was a train that was
long and square and could be turned up
underneath on hooks. Not that this gar
ment need ever so into the subway nor
that a mortal woman living wouldn't be
crazy 10 carry such train 10 Jerusalem
oven in July. but on principle it is utili-
tartan. because It is fashionable so TO be.
Yes. il does look as though even trains
were taking themselves pretty seriously
but. then. they had better. in these days OF
not only votes but trousers, for women.