The Washington herald., 1914-03-29
SIMPLICITY IS KEYNOTE
In CHILDREN'S CLOTHES
Tot Today Is Pieturesque-They
Have an Uncanny Idea of Right
and Wrong STYLES.

Unless one can make her small daugh-
ter's clothes, she is confronted by an ex-
pensive problem. If she wishes to have
for chiIdren's clothes are undeniably ex-
pensive if one desires material and smart
ness.
Fortunately simplicity is the aim OF the
best designers, and 1t is possible to make
garments with the aid of a seamstress
which. If bought ready made. or II pro-
cured through a speciality shop, would
cost a pretty penny.
The child of today is picturesque. Old
prints must have furnished the inspira-
ton for many of the newest frocks and
suits. Look over the pictures of some Of
the Dickens children and you will see tiIe
pattern of the most approved school suit
for the modern small boy.
There is a straight little blouse cut
with scarcely a bit of fullness with the
plain little knee length trousers button
ed to it at the waist line.
There are variations of this model For
everyday wear the suit is made Of some
OF the heavy suitings which are wash
able. For the street the trousers are
often of corduroy and the blouse of some
washable fabric, as linen or tub silk,
and for ceremonious occasions the blouse
is made of white washable silk or satin,
with lace frilIs at the wrists and collar
and with trousers of heavy ribbed silk,
bengaline being a favorite weave.
Goats for wear over these suits are
smart tweed affairs or Russian blouse
effects In corduroy. They usually button
close at the neck and have the slightly
lowered belt.
The smaller boys have been wearing
funny little peasant-like costumes which
am told will be more used for the sum-
mer, as they are SO simple. so easily nd-
justed and so comfortable. These are
quite straight and reach the knees. The
trousers which may match or be Of a
contrasting material, as striped trousers
with a plain outer garment, are fastened
to the under waist.
The frocks for the little girls are just
as simple in lines. The straight effect Is
retained and the sash is as often at the
regulation waist line as it is applied near
~ to the knees, which has been the ac-
cepted belt line.
For the young girl, seven or eight years,
there is q noticeable brevity OF skirt. and
the coats are usually the same length as
the frock. When they have the banding
Of fur the effect is quaint and attractive.
The kimono sleeve is used in nearly all
the dresses for the small lady. Serge
seems the approved material for the
street dress. I have seen an attempt to
introduce the suit style in some OF the
best and newest of the spring clothes,
and 1t is most attractive and would sure
ly please the wearer. In several models
there was a skirt, short and scant, a
wide, soft sash and an Eton coat made
quite loose. Underneath was a blouse Of
batiste.
The sash frequently becomes part of
the frock and fastens at the side. On the
very best of the lingerie frocks there is
sometimes an appearance of the shocking
which was once SO fashionable as adorn-
ment.
When the low belt Is chosen the skirt Is
frequently merely be or two little ruffies
OF silk contrasting with the serge -ef the
frock. These rufies are plaid II the serge
Is plain.
While the frocks are simple. there is the
finish which bespeaks skill. There is the
same demand for style in the clothes for
the child Of today as for his parents. and
youthful eyes are wonderfully critical in
detecting flaws in the garments of their
compGnluAs,