The Washington times., 1914-07-09

A curious and suggestive adver-
tisement appeared in New York pa
pers today, which impresses with
unwonted effectiveness the extent of
American women's dependency on
foreign fashion forms. The text of
this advertisement is reproduced in
full:
TO THE BUYERS.
In view of the fast approaching fall
season and the expected arrival of buy
ers who appear to be uncertain as TO
proper suit lengths, Style Committee
has been appointed by our association,
Who have made the following recon-
mendations:
The shorter garments which are being
shown for early deliveries are abso-
lutely the proper length and in accord
ance with the fall models shown by
European markets.
During the last few years, however.
there has been always "a tendency on
the part of the European leaders of
fashion to change and modify their
early showiDgs, and Ii now appears that
the longer garments will have the call
for later business. The Style Commit
suit coat shall be adopted as the lead
ing style Of 1914.
We suggest to the buyers not to be
misled by manufacturers who constant
ly change the lengths, thus creating
unrest and disturbance In the market
1t being understood that the European
markets only are the creators of fash
ions. and then adopted by the New York
manufacturers to meet the requirements
OF the American women.
UNITED CLOAK. SUIT AND SKIRT
MANUFACTURERS OF NEW YORK.
New York, July s. 1914.
1t would appear that the European
dictators of fashion have discovered
that if they would make a mid-season
change in the styles, they would be
able to sell another set of clothes to
women who positively must be right
up to the minute. So there "has
been a tendency to change
and modify the early showings," and
to present something distinctly diff
ferent for the later part of the sea-
son,
Between the short coat, first pre-
pared by the foreign fashion-mold-
ers, and the long one. which these
same dictators of styles appear to
have planned to spring later in the
season, the buyers have been in
doubt. They didn't know which of
the two to buy, and the American
manufacturers have had to sit in
council on the grave problem. Which
should they advise folks to take?
The shopkeeper who loaded up on
short models, only to find, perhaps
before he had disposed of them all.
that they were hopelessly out of
style, would be displeased as well
as a heavy loser. He must not be
permitted to be stung if it could be
prevented.
Wherefore the American manu-
facturers get together and issue
their best advice, frankly explaining
the reasons, and just as frankly ad-
mitting the complete subordination
of American styles to European
models. %" it being under
stood that the European markets
only are the creators of fashions,
and then adopted by the New York
manufacturers TO meet the require
ments of the American women!"
That is certainly an interesting
statement of the situation. The
American manufacturers must follow
the proper European models or else
their goods will not be taken off
their hands by the American women.
Nobody cares, per Sc, whether the
long cloak comes early in the season
anG the short one later; or whether
this order is reversed; or whether
we struggle along with only sne
model for the whole season. But it
is absolutely vital that whatever the
European markets the
creators of fashions" prescribe, that
must be served hot, no matter what
the cost or the folly of it.
Comment seems quite unnecessary.