New-York tribune., 1915-02-22
DRYGOODS AND TEXTILE NOTES.

According TO reports received from
several well known statesmen who are
now In the West, business conditions in
the womeh's wear lines in general are
far above normal. The unusual warm
spell that prevailed for two weeks in
Iowa caused many spring lines to be
broken much sooner than was expect
ed. The merchants Of this part of the
country are optimistic about the
spring and summer seasons, and II is
predicted that this year will be very
successful. The weather cannot be
credited with the sudden outburst Of
rush business" in other states, as in
the South the weather will not permit
any early warm weather buying. The
consensus of opinion is that the retail
buying public did not make necessary
purchases at the beginning of the fall
season OF last year, owing 10 the for
eign conditions and the fear that money
would be short. The result is that the
garments that have been made to do"
are beginning to look shabby and out
of-style, and the retail trade is COM
mencing to realize that good times"
are in store, and is therefore spend
ing money for new spring wear.
A most interesting exhibition of
goods made in America was closed a
few days ago by Youth, Smyth, Field e.
Co.. wholesale dealers in hosiery, un-
derwear, etc, 1916 Arch Street, Phila-
delphia. This formed a part Of sys-
tematic effort to secure for American
products the markets of the world and
likewise bring Philadelphia into the
front rank. The entire six floors OF the
building " IRE given over TO the exhibit,
being decorated with American flags
and banners bearing the device, Made
in America" and ave export TO all
parts of the world" Over five thousand
invitations had been sent out to the
trade, and the result was a crowded
house. Luncheon was served TO the
guests. One whole floor was devoted to
hosiery, another TO underwear, while
exhibits of gloves, laces, trimmings and
women's wear generally were prOmi-
nently displayed. The affair was large
ly attended by buyers from all parts
of the country, and the firm stated 1t
had sold in one day more goods than 1t
had been able to move during the en-
tire previous week. New York should
take notice.
Cross patch pockets on ladies' skirts
will be shown extensively for the
summer trade. The patch is made in
the form of a welt covering the outside
of the pocket, and the cross work is
added by two loops that cross each
other from the top of the pocket. An
out-of-town concern has been showing
the pocket skirt, and many buyers say
that it will be a good feature for the
hot weather season, for the reason
that it will do away with carrying a
pocketbook. A small purse or pocket
book is carried in the summer for
handkerchief and small change. 1t is
thought that the new large patch pock-
ct will do away with "excess baggage"
Wide ribbons for millinery are in
sight, according to the growing opinion
in the trade As a result, manufact-
urers view the near future with con-
siderably more optimism than has been
manifest all winter. A change toward
wider ribbons is confidently looked for
to appear about Easter, at the latest.
The immediate ribbon business with
retail buyers is fair, some fancies be-
ing taken and also satins. The black
and white effects are increasing in
popularity, checks and diamond shapes
being in demand. Black and white
stripes and polka dots, it is believed,
will follow the checks. In some parts
of the trade there is talk of moires
again in millinery. Some large buy
ers are interested in moires, but this
trend has not become general yet
Velvets continue to be good. Black
and white velvets are shown in wider
goods, and the narrow velvets also are
reported as strong.