Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-01
THE ECONOMICS OF FASHION,
STYLE AND UNDERWEAR.
BY Frederic J. Haskin.
By Frederic ]. Haskin.

With the changes in the fashions of the
outside garments there lately has been
developed an almost equal variety in the
styles in underwear from one season to
another. so that a complete new outfit
frequently is required even though a
person seems to have sufficient quantity
for his or her needs. With the present
close-itting style of clothes for both
men and women the bulk of the new
clothing worn beneath must be reduced
10 a minimum. and the fit must be per-
feet or IT viii affect the appearance of
the outer clothes. The comfort of the
individual is a subject for consideration
also. and the differences of opinion as TO
what style Of garment gives the highest
degree OF comfort are varied the
materials from which they are made
The knit fabrics are most popular. and
when they can he secured they can be
made up in garments of many STYLES and
qualities The elasticity Of the knitted
fabric gives IL a distinct advantage over
the woven cloths in securing close.
smooth iii. and many people find ii more
pleasing Ia the touch. The increased
demand for knitted fabrics for various
usages has led 10 number of valua BILE
improvements in knitting machinery
which have materially added TO the econ
onv and quality of the fabric to be pro-
duced. Knitted garments generally are
accepted as most desirable for winter
wear, as they fit snugly and give greater
warmth than any other fabric. while
their soft. clingy folds do not materially
add TO the bulk OF the wearer's body For
the sheathlike skirt. which has been in
vogue recently. there has been devised
special knitted underskirt of full length
which does not in any way interfere with
the natural line of the figure and at the
same time gives warmth and is less
shocking to the conventional mind than
4NKa n rxR<w
as was advised BY the fashionable
modiste. Other skirts are made with a
deep yoke of the knitted fabric to which
Is attached a scant fiounce of silk or
some other material
For travelling and for other purposes
the knitted combination garments for
both men
Combination Suits and women
Take UP Little Room. o m m e nd
TO all because of the ease with which
they can be Iaundered as well as their
small bulk in the trunk or suit case
Some OF these have been tabooed by real
~ dainty women because, until recently.
they have been rather unattractiye in
appearance. but this Is no longer the
case. They can be secured in white and
the daintfest colors. trimmed with fine
lace and ribbons and even embellished
with the daintiest hand embroidery so
that the most elaborate muslin wear
made in convent does not present a
more attractive appearance than the
newest products of the knitting machine
A feature OF most OF the present day
underwear is its extreme lightness in
weight. This does not always mean
transparency. for there are fabrics which
are Of almost cobwebby thinness. but yet
a trx.r tI<yx. lf<x1~
might indicate Crepe de chine is fab
ric which has lately sprung into favor
Tor this purpose. and crepe de chine night
dresses are one of the newest fads OF the
summer girl. These are so light In
weight and bulk that one can be packed
IN an ordinary hand or wrist bag
The use of cotton creme for underwear
y another economy of laundry work
which IS becoming popular this season
Inc cotton crepe is not so cool as the
crepe ae chine or as many other cotton
fabrics. out garments of this material
are cut in good lines and as they come in
many attractive colorngs they appeal TO