Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-31
VACATION KITS.
By Frederic ]. Haskin.

Iach year increases he number of
persons VINO devote part of their sum-
mer vacations to some kind OF travel
! MS calls or corresponding increase
of equipment. and almost every class of
manufacturers a-t called INTO service
TO provide the differ.n; outfits required
for the comfort of the modern traveller
The various modes Of travel ard the in
creased demands Cor sanitation as we'll
as physical comfort which are develop
ing each year. maze the modest outfits
supposed to be adequate 4 generation ago
appear quite much behind the times
as the old-fashioned stage coach as a
means of conveyance.
II the trip is to be a lone one baggage
is an important matter. Usually trunks
receive first consideration. For a Euro
pean trip the trunl. must be low enough
to go under the berth of the steamer
stateroom. bat il need not lack con-
ven1enceS feecauSe of this. Carefully
planned compartments keep the needed
belongings in compact order easily ac-
cessible al all times. If the trip is to last
only few weeks and be devoted to
sightseeing. many travellers will find the
steamer trunk sufficient for all their
needs. and there is a growing tendency
on the part Of both men and women to
travel light" Some Of the tourist COM
panies arrange to furnish specially de-
signed steamer trunks for each member
Of their party. II the trip Is to be of
longer duration and some social life is
expected In the European cities. an ad-
ditional trunk or more. may be taken
these larger pieces being stored in the
hold OF the vessel during the voyage.
II the trip is to include stops at fash
inn ofe M n
the customary trunk may be expanded
into several especially for women.
Special wicker basket trunks are now
provided to accommodate Paris gowns.
These are Of goodly size to avoid
crushing the garments. and are especially
light in weight. so that their extra bulk
does not render them unwieldy for the
baggage men to handle. The latest thing
in dress trunks is long enough to &C
commodate a trained evening dress full
length without folding. 1t is OF white
wicker. and is provided with a heavy
canvas cover to be used on the train.
This cover is removable, so that the
wicker couch provides an attractive win
dow seat in the summer bedroom. 1t has
the advantage of keeping the frocks read
lily accessible and in good condition, thus
avoiding the trouble Of unpacking If short
stays are to be made at different points
Another trunk is providtd for hats. This
too, has Eeen especially designed TO Sc
secured large enough to hold the variety
required for an entire season.
X x
Besides these two special trunks is an
other. designed to hold miscellaneous
articles of
Some Special Trunks elot hing.
Contain Compartments. now be
found equipped with a number Of draw
ers similar to q bureau, so that little I'M
packing is required. Lingerie, neckwear,
hosiery waists, gloves and other small
belongings each have special compart-
ments often plainly marked. so that
keeping ones things in order seems a
simple matter. \ special velvet-lined
level case is included i'm some of the
never trunks. This is not popular, how
ever. because most jewelry is carried by
the owner, who would hesitate to risk
It in a trunk of any kind.
The traveller requiring only one trunk
has received special consideration ami
the newest trunks are marvels Of con-
venience. The favorite form now is the
wardrobe trunk which can stand up on
end in a room and permit half a dozen
suits to be kept on hangers i'm good
other articles of attire are conveniently
placed. The first wardrobe trunks "-re
weighty. clumsy affairs. but those now
being shown seem to approach the acme
Of Compact convenience. combined with
the minimum weight If the box-sial'ed
trunk is preferred this style also viii
now be found to possess many advdn!-
ages over barrel topped trunks of gen
Grafton ago. The trunk manufacturers
study the needs Of their patrons confirm
ally.
Trunks are being built to provide maxi
mum space with minimum weight. with
strength enough to resist the onsIaughts
of hurried baggage handlers. Few metal
covered trunks arc shown now Sole
leather is substituted for iron in finish
ing most of the edges II IS lighter IL
weight and wears better. 4 fbroid ma
terial Is used by many manufacturers be-
cause of its strength and .!Sntarss.
For motoring, special automobile trunks
are being built to fit the capacities Of the
different machines. They arc usually
made Of leather or fiber and IN appear
ance are more like suit cases than trunks.
A seemingly limitless variety of hand
baggage has descended from the carpet
bag and valise of
Limitless Variety former genera
Of Hand Baggage. last sf five wears the the
club bag has superseded the suit case
for many purposes, although their Uses
are not the same, and the frequent trav-
eler may have need of both. For the
short trip where an extra suit is not re-
quired, the bag Is preferred. because 1t
is less unwieldy Club bags come in all
sizes, according to the demands of the
traveller. Some will carry a change of un-
derwear, a shirt or two. and all Of the
toilet implements. Others will only ac-
commodate a few essentials. The club
bag may be as cheap as expensive as
its owner wishes. 1t may be of canvas or