The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-10

out any notifications, we should be
denied a pleasure we all SO enjoy,
namely, that of laughing at and max
ing fun of the fashions of the past.
Each generation is quite satisfied
that it has improved on the past gem
Grafton; skins may have been worn
hanging straight down by the first
woman who adopted them, but it is
quite safe to presume that within the
next few years they were hung on the
bias; and when the wearers tired of
that style they turned the fur inside
out and created a brand new fashion.
The women of the Second Empire"
under Eugenie's "crinoline sway" prob
ably made all fun of the narrow gowns
worn when the Empress Josephine held
her court; and we've been doing the
same thing ever since, for during the
past year with a return of crinolines
we have laughed ourselves sick over
the narrow, tight, little "hobble" skirts
of few seasons ago.
Impossible" ridiculous" are only
former narrow skirts, and they de-
served such terms and worse, if posi-
BILE, although at the time we followed
Dame Fashions dictates and the mar
rover we could get our skirts the more
stylish we thought we appeared.
The very newest skirts-the awfully
wide, fluffy. beruffled affairs-that the
n
at which we used to laugh-those of
the ante-bellum days which the bellies
of the Sos affected-another chapter in
| history which has to do with hoop
skirts and curls-yes; these are the
fashions that have come back to us
today!
There is something very attractive
and extremely feminine about these
'old-new dresses" they have a sort of
charm which seems to tell us that the
new woman is but woman after ALL
Even the 'pantelette" costumes have
some favor In sensible eyes over the
"hobb1e," for at least the ''pantelette"
lady may sprint with the best, and
stand a good chance Of winning a race,
or catching a train, while the poor
creature sewed up tight in BOLSTER
case" sort of skirt could only make lit.
tie Intellectual hops, like a bird, and
then submit to the inevitable. She
had to be left behind unless she started
a good hour beforehand
Some of the fashions for the com.
ing season are the most ridiculous
thugs I've ever beheld. Before me on
my desk is picture I clipped from
current fashion paper the other day,
which at first I wanted as a mere
curiosity, but as it seems to fit in with
this story I'm writing. I'll tell you
| about it and let you judge for your
self.
First of all, the lady in the picture
wearns pleasant smile. as much as
to say:
I'm delighted with my new costume
go and get one just like it."
I don't think many women will fol-
| low her advice; that is, if they feel
! like I do about it-for she's "a per-
! feet sight"-nothing more or less
The skirt is very short and hangs in
| queer and ungraceful folds, not unlike
the way children drape shawls around
| themselves when playing at the game
| Of being ladies'" The shortness OF
| the skirt is designed to show the tight
fitting corduroy 1eggings, which are
edged with fur at the ankles, where
they meet the high-heeled shoes. The
coat is trimmed lavisly with fur and
has turned-up collar which reaches
in the back to the brim of the hat
This head covering is in itself rather
remarkable, being nothing else, so it
appears, than mans high silk hat
with notwithstanding feather in
| front
If this style should become popular,
| the men had better keep sharp look
| out on their "best-est" hats; for the
lady in the picture looks as if she
| thought hers was perfectly stunning
and most becoming; but after all. the