The midland journal., 1913-05-16
ETTINC Al FASHION
Easy. No Matter How Freakish,
If 1t Hits the Popular Fancy. :
STYLES WITH ODD ORIGINS.

tiair behfnd was xne hesuiS 0t
Childish Prank, and the Beauty Spot
Grew From Boil on Lady's Cheek.
That many Of the fashions which be-
came famous in their day and have
come down to our own were due to
chance or accident is now matter Of
history Interesting are the stories
told of the odd origin Of certain styles
which an unsuspecting world probably
thought were Intentionally chosen for
their beauty or comfort.
The courts Of Europe have been es-
pecially noted for their sheeplike fol-
lowing of an idea introduced by the
reigning monarch, when frequently
that idea was evolved to conceal one,
Of the rulers physical defects. One
Of the kings Of France came to the
throne child Of ten. He wore his hair
in long ringlets all about the head.
Immediately men and women coiffed
themselves likewise. The same mon
arch was bald at thirty, and, being a
lover OF all that was beautiful and
feminine. he ordered the elaborate wig
which was taken up and reveled in
during many reigns.
As for the hair being caught in the
back and held with a small bow of
ribbon. the style beloved Of men sew
eral hundred years ago, little girls are
said to have originated the idea, and
accidentally One day court leader
happened to be visiting. and his hos
tess was late In arriving in the salon.
The young man fell asleep, and the two
schildren of the noble lady, creeping In
saw the guest and to play trick tied
his hair all together. The little girls,
fearing to be caught, ran away, and
the young man never knew Of the
curious picture the back of his wig
presented. Other visitors discovered
the garnish. laughed at the ribbon, and
the young count declared barefacedly
that he had so fastened his hair and
meant to keep it always so from his
neck and shoulders Within a few
days the entire nobility found the
scheme so good they adopted the idea-
The pannier was introduced by a
queen to cover misplaced hip bone. 1t
was an actress who finally threw the
pannier aside after it had been fash
ionable half a century. One evening
just before she was to appear on the
stage the actress discovered that one
pannier was entirely drenched in oil.
The dress, 1t was thought, was spoiled
by rival
The actress and her maid quickly
thought the matter over. and both to-
gether quickly tore Off the offending
member of the costume. The actress
donned the dress, but of course it pre-
sented ridiculous appearance. So
the other pannier was removed. and
the slim young woman appeared on
the stage more supple and graceful
than ever The audience at first gasp
ed, then admired, and the next day
all Of London (the scene took place
there) decided to initiate the actress
and her severe skirt.
The origin Of the beauty spot 10 no
less interesting. The Duchess de
Montmorillon suffered with boil on
the cheek and put on bit Of black
mixture overnight said to be healing.
In the morning she either forgot to
wash her face or did not use enough
care, 50 the story goes. and the mat
tentive or malicious servant allowed
her mistress to appear before the
world'' with her face spotted. Powder
ed and perfumed, Montmorillon receiv-
ed her callers. who found the black
spot charming, so much SO that before
night they had anointed their faces
with the black ointment
4 TO come down to present times. the
feather boa was originated less than
twenty years ago in Boston In an
idle moment an apprentice In feather
establishment sewed the discarded bits
and ends of poor plumes together and
strung them about her neck. The
other girls laughed at the trimming,
the head of the department found it
pretty. and the order was given that
no castaways in the form Of plumes
be thrown In the wastebasket. All
parts Of the plumes were kept, sewed
ON to a ribbon. the entire thing curled
and long ribbon loops put at each end.
and the feather boa was the success OF
the season.
The uncurled plume was purely the
result OF an accident. The biggest
race Of the year, the Grand Prix dAu.
teuiI, was on. and women were there
dressed within an inch Of their lives.
A fearful rainstorm came up, and peo-
pie were drenched. Plumes that had
left home finely curled were wet, and
each spiral stood apart. 1t was not
pretty. the effect, but it was original,
and one of the milliners. not wishing
to take the trouble to have the plumes
OF all his customers recurled, advised
them to allow the garnish to remain as
It was.
That week following the Grand Prix
d'Auteuil saw nothing but straight spi-
raj plumes, and women liked them SO
much that before the following Sun
1ox syEnv, fho Grand pr4x 10 TnnO.