Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-05


AS for fabrics, there is no longer any
doubt about the fashion for crepe de
chine. both plain and brocaded. 1t will
ne worn in a wide variety of colors and
used as satin was, for everything from
a monkish frock TO elaborate ball
gown. One of the novelties which prom
ises a large following is silk ratine. No
matter how strongly some of the COM
merciaiists over here try to deaden the
popularity of rough weaves. they are not
able to do much against this fabric call
ed ratine.
We have had it for two years for win
ter suits although it has changed its
name monthly. then it came out in a
cotton weave last summer and was
thoroughly popular: now it is to appear
in silk and will lay claim to the position
held so long by that admirable weave OF
Chinese silk called Shantung. By the
way, there are all manner of Chinese
silks to be used this spring. Some are
striped, some are plain, and all are wash
able.
There will be an extensive run in tub
silks from the English and Austrian
looms as we'll as from the American ones.
In truth, if opinions go contrariWise, as
they usually do. this should be cold
and wet summer. for the weavers have
taken it for granted that it will be a hot
one and are sending to market quantities
OF tropical fabrics.
The first of the year is an admirable
time to buy furs. OF this there is no
doubt in the minds of those who shop.
The good old days have long since past
when furs had little fashion and quality
was more considered than cut In those
times a sealskin sacque was sealskin
sacuue, and had It's value until 1t Tell
10 pieces. Today a sable coat is only
good as long as it conforms to fashion
able lines When it goes out of style 1t
tnfo
ii were a cheap ready-tO-wear suit which
had departed from the fashion.
* x
This is an age of extragavance be-
cause high living and high wages go
hand in hand and women wear'fur
coats who once wondered If they could
afford flannel petticoats Since wool
went out of fashion as underwear the
skins of beasts came into fashion as
overwear. Hygiene and the modern
movement for better health. which has
made disease crime, has demanded
that women take off as much as pos
sible when they are in the house. and
depend upon peltry for protection IN the
open.
The motor was responsible along with
the hygienic clothes movement for the
thrush of fur coats. AS soon as the de-
mand became eSOrDllant tHe supply pass
ed it. The hunt for babies under two
years old by Herod in order that they
might be slain was not carried on with
more violence and searching than is the
hunt for every animal over two inches
long that can furnish its hide to women
Such was the edict issued by the manu-
facturer. and everything from an alley
cat to a Siberian pony was killed to nj
the demand.
Now we are wearing rats as well a:
cats to cover our heads and bodies. ant
the only reason that the mouse ESCAPED
is that it takes too many of him to maxi
mun Zebras, leopards, coons ant
beavers have their marketable value
and they will soon be no more. How
any animal that has furry hide cal
last long on this earth under the on
slaugnt made upon them in the name o
women is a question for the zoologist.
1t makes little difference in the pric'
as to whether the coat Is long or short
This same condition appears In tn
market value of gowns, for while tn
manufacturers claim that mills are fall
ing because of the short lengths neede'
for women's gowns, yet the price or tn
gown does not alter. Women pay a
much now as they did when 1t required
twelve yards to make a frock. Thu
price for furs is based on fur Itself, witt