The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-10-05
Although Foreign-Style Cloth
ing Was Adopted by Many
After Revolution, Change
Has Been Noted Recently.

While there was a notable turning to
foreign-style clothing OF many kinds
shortly after the revolution in China,
there has been more or less reaction
since, and the exact future of trade in all
lines OF foreign-style clothing at present
is somewhat doubtful, says a conserVa-
tive report.
On the whole the Indications are that
foreign-style clothing will be preferred
by the student class and the smart young
Chinese OF both sexes, but especially
men, all the time and by the Chinese
generally during the colder months of the
year, while clothing in modified Chinese
style will be more common for the latter
in the warmer seasons. There is greatly
increased demand for all kinds OF foreign
clothing accessories and haberdashery in
South China ports, not only for the Chi
nese, but for the increasing consumption
Of such goods by foreigners. Much Of
this demand is being met by local fac
tories, and II is likely that as the de-
mand increases local concerns will pre-
pare for taking up an even greater pro-
portion of the trade. In some lines of
haberdashery, however the demand is in
creasing, and local manufacturers cannot
compete with foreign products.
The total imports Of goods classed as
haberdashery by the Chinese customs
SHlnd pTOPCT III dIllOuhNCu " q
value of s7os,274
Part Played by United States.
The part the United States has In
this trade is at present confined almost
entirely to suspenders, garters, and
similar goods. In carriers the imports
from the United States dominate and
control the trade. The goods are cheaper
than those from other countries, quality
and they have many patented
appliances and features which suit well
a hot, moist climate-such as well-ar
ranged perforations for ventilation, pad
ded metal parts so that no metal
comes in contact with the skin, wide
elasticity without undue
and other features. In suspend
ers American trade has been compare
lively small until recently, but in the |
past two or three years, particularly, the
high quality of American goods for the |
prices charged. their good taste, suit |
ability 10 the climate. and other features |
have resulted in greatly increased trade |
not only in the large British and other |
foreign stores, but in Chinese shops as
well.
In hosiery there has been a vast in |
crease in the output of Chinese knitting 1
mills for the, cheap local trade, but there |
has also been a notable increase in i'm
ports Of higher grade goods. Imports
of silk and high-grade cotton thread |
socks from the United States have in
creased greatly, especially a quality of /
The former which retail in the United /
States around so cents per pair and can
be sold here at trifle over 81 per pair
n local currency CHongkong dollar worth
IN July !, $04O. These goods are at
cheap, and popular, and the i'm
porters and general handlers of this
lass OF merchandise report favorably as
70 the satisfaction given. Further in
'rease in the trade has been hampered
somewhat by the indisposition of Amer
can and English manufacturers to furn- /
sh mems hosiery in and S1-2 sizes
he sizes demanded by the Chinese trade.
In American manufacturer recently re-
used an order for 1000 dozen silk socks
" such sizes, on the ground that he
ouid not furnish goods in sizes smaller
han size 3. Germany and Japan are
lcceptlng orders for the smaller sized
,oods, and there is reason to expect that
hey will secure a considerable trade
n consequence. II
No American Neckties.
There are no American cravats in the
iongkong market and England pfacti- /
ally controls this trade. The great va '
lety and good taste of American ties
hould prove attractive the world over
nd no doubt IL would be worth while to
Tork into this field, providing, CT course, |
ne prices of English goods can be met. :
wash ties are popular and are almost
necessity in a TROPICAL climate How