The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-23

posaI of the unhandy parasol. 1t
would be like placing an umbrella over
ducks back to hold a sun shade over
the yard-wide Panama hat of the up
to-date damsel.
But of course there are other kinds
of womens hats. Some dart to one
side, rest gently on a pink ear, extend
a yard or SO of twisted ribbon at right
angles and punch out the eyes of street
car passengers. Others are built along
skyscraper lines, rising like Wool
worth building out of a mass of trim
ming. Then there are the derby-like
straws and the pancake effect of black.
Without mercy the sun beats down
upon these chapeaus-brave, courageous
daughters of Evei
The Effects of Yestcryear.
The average Inan-and this is written
cares less of the woman'S choice of
parasols- But in reversing the reel of
mental impressions of Kansas avenue
III the summers of yesteryear, there APP
pears a panorama of bobbing sun
shades.
To the memory of the writer-first
there appeared only the black sensible
combination parasoI-one that attract
ed little attention and could be used
with success on an April day of show
ers and sunshine.
The manufacturers, however, saw a
anything PRACTICAL Foolish custom to
manufacture a necessity that could be
utilized in days of gloom and bright
ness,
the result was colored shade
Then milady found it possible TO
have two parasols at home-one for
rain and one for sunshine. The color
ed effect for show. The black for wear.
And the makers enlarged their factor
les as the days went by
The next year another glazing OPP
portunity presented itself.
Why not change the handle?
The originators in Paris were inform
ed-the fashion plates altered-and
papa paid the bills.
WhOOpee! What CoIors,
With solid color and a new han
dle' and the sales dropping off on ac-
count of the reduced demand some
thing else must be done.
Worry not, dear reader.
"A stripe around the top was recog-
nlzed. "Gaudy!" was the sneering
greeting-but the parasols sold, just
the same.
Then another stripe. Soon a null
utude of stripes. Then variations in
colors with high lights here and there
and a piece of scenery to top it off
with. Another year and a factory in
list decreed that the handles should
be long-reaching far up above the
waist that the victim might rest her
arm at full length and exhibit the
gentle curve of her dimpIed elbow
as she conversed about nothing with
nothing.
The following season was grapes"
for the makers. Nothing to do but
saw off the handles, splash a bit of
color here and there, create a slight
bend in the staff and arch the ribs
just enough to correspond with the
years follies and make the parasol
look different than the one sold the
year before.
On and on raVed the manufacturers
and the designers
Then came the thunderboltI
The lightning has strickland there
is danger that the resounding thunder
Will crumble the plans of parasoI
builders.
Meanwhile the carefree gent who
sits crouched over in the street
sprinkler, the whistling grocery boy,
the grimy dray driver-they =scorn
the news from Paris and perch them
selves indifferently behind the pIod-
ding teams under the big umbrellas.
Let the sun and freckles GOMEZ
welcome to the tan and peeled cuti-
clet 1t is considered proper to stroll
without parasol-dfre disgrace to her
who flaunts in the face of womanly
style, Watch them on the avenue. Not
one stylishly dressed woman in four
carries a parasol these bright, hot
afternoons.
At home behind the evening paper. !
dad chuckles and pats gently the re-
ceding pOck etbOOk