El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-12-21

current mode will invariably succumb
to some new fashioned garment, gener-
ally discardng one that is comfortable
and in good condition. but different in
cut or finish from that prescribed by
fashion. The clothing trade in its va
rious branches in the United states last
year amounted to nearly S7OO,0Oo.00o
for men and women. The amount spent
for chndren's clothes would probably
reach at least one-third more. OF this
sum fully one-half was spent for arti-
cles not essential to the needs Of the
purchaser. This was really tribute
TO the demands Of queen fashion.
Fashion Changes Help Business.
While the changes in fashions bring
hardships 70 many family with
purse insufficient for its needs, they
are really Of great benefit to the world
at large. To these changes is due, to
large degree,rthe growth Of the trades
ana Industries The actual neceSslIleS
Of mankind are few and easily supplied
The simpler the life OF the nauOns
the smaller is its trade and commerce.
1t is fashion that keeps the great fac
tories running day and night that
gathers material from every cline and
that maintains huge stores with their
armies of clerks employed in catering
to the frequent changes.
Nothing is more amusing than to
compare the changes OF fashionable
clothing during the past century or
two. Generally it is the feminine fash
ions which are most talked about
There is indeed a mighty difference
between the enormous hoop SKIRT OF
the early sixties and the elaborate
draperies Of the seventies, TO the
straight, tube-li1e garments Of the
present year, to say nothing OF the
bustles, balloon sleeves and various
other freak styles that have come and
gone.
when Men Dressed deliberately.
Changes in fashions for men are
just as frequent, however, although
in recent years they have Deen less
pronounced. In earlier days the cloLn-
ing of men was even more elaborate
than that OF women. The men VINO 1lrst
settled these United States on special
occasions wore damask brocadess Jew
eled buttons and buttOnholes terminal
ing IN embroidered scrolls or Ieathers
In the days Of Sheraton, special chairs
were designed for the accommodation
of the voluminous, buckraIn lined court
coats worn by the men. A New england
bridegroom q little before the ReFolu-
ton was radiant in a pearl colored coat
embroidered with gold, a pink Drocaoe
WaistcOat and white satin knee
brooches. But his stock was sort 1olueu
linen trimmed with real ACE ana IN
point Of comfort his clothes were no
doubt less Objectionable than the SUIT
high collar and tight fitting black coat
which fashion DEGREES to De the proper
dress for the Goth century gridegrooIp-
For the past century the trenQ IN
mems clothing has been toward DARK
plain cOlors. but the last decade moi
Gates a change in this respect " me
for formal occasions the plain oiach
coat seems still in vogue, there are
numerous deviatiOns in the way OF col
ored waistcoats and trousers.
Despite many statements TO the con-
trary the dictates OF 1ashlon are gro"
ing more reasonable each year O1 oS.loS
are more comfortable and better suited
to the needs of the Wearer- The soIt
collar brought out during the past
summer was a boon 10 the average
man whose neck had cha1ed Tor many
seasons inside the stiff, starched CIR
Gle of linen. 1t was a small natter
but its sales reached millions durln 8
the summer and IL viii not De enllISiy
superseded during this winter, II Is
a fitting accompaniment to the SOIL
shirt and viii be retained by thousands
Of men throughout the country, espe-
cially for travelling.
Is Hardship Upon Mothers.
While to the manufacturer and the
dealer in ready made clothing the
change in fashions is boon because OF
the increase in trade 1t brings about
to the American mother with small IN
come it is a hardship involving hours
Of ceaseless toll with the needle if the
family is to present credltable ap-
pearance. The presiding elder re-
minded me of the fact mat John Wes-
lev's mother educated alp of her chill
dren at home herself said hard
worked minister's wife one day 1
felt like telling him that susanna Wes-
ley for many years wore, without al
teratiOn a cloak which had been made
for her grandmother. No wonder she
had time to teach her children herself
If I should 20 to church wearing coat
or dress even three years out OF style,
there would be a general complaint In
the quarterly conference over the 1act
that I did not appreciate my husbands
looking up to date. So l sew and sew,
turning clothes inside up and upside
down, trying to keep them up to the
fashion because 1 feel IL is expected Of
me-"
To a large extent fashions come from
Paris, and a prominent merchant re-
Gently began his advertisement with
this statement:
Nothing in fashions is right unless
Paris leaders say caChet. This
saying, however, requires modifica-
ton. Many styles originating in
the United States are admitted to
be superior even to those OF
Paris while Vienna and London fire.
Quently originate fashions worthy Of
recognition. Even those who insist
upon the superiority Of French designs
for evening dresses and millinery, gen
orally add that for travelling and out
are superior, and lately Vienna suits
have been introduced by American wO-
men as Of higher grade than any
other.
Americans Best Dressed.
Americans, both men and women, are
generally admitted TO be the best
dressed people in the world. everything
being considered, so it follows as a
matter of course that American fash
ions must have weight in countries
where the wealth and prosperity OF the
nation is so highly respected. The Rus
sian women are especially fond of
American clothes Several American
dressmakers have gone to st. Peters
burg during the past five years and
are supplying women Of. the Russian
court with garments that are pro-
nounced TO be superior I'm style and
finish to those sent formerly from
Paris.
The influence Of literature and drama
upon fashions is most noticeable. The
Merry Widow" and 'Chanticleer''
STYLES are examples Of this. Any event
Of historical interest is likely to af-
feet the fashions for a season or more.
During the Columbian exposition in
1898 coats, capes. hats and other gar
ments were designed after the fashions
Of the time of Columbus The cOro-
nation ceremonies Of England are re-
sponsible for fashions Of dress modelled