Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-03-31

In class with the hoary and de-
erepit mother-in.law joke the one about
the advanced female donning the trous-
ers has done equally long and faithful
service. But 10 and behold the latter
wheezc has now ceased to be a joke
and in these days of 1917 become a
stern reality.
DR.. Mary Walker blazed the trail for
the wearing of masculine neither gar
ments l believe, but it took a heap
of red tape to keep them on. Nine.
Curie more recently gained the per
mission of her government to wear 'em
after great deal of trouble and time
but now everybody's doing it with the
greatest ease and nonlchalance.
Along with the high cost of living
and other evils, Of course, this feminine
penchant for trousers must be blamed
ON the poor old war. Only this time
it is no evil, but a blessing in disguise
of pants.
With the women forced to take over
the tasks of males in all the fighting
countries, naturally it was meet that
they should take over the cut of their
clothes as we'll. One can't very ade-
quately oil engines, plow drive motors
and run elevators all done up in skirts
and petticoats. "ig
Sitting on the sidelines, Maiden
America and Matron America as well,
have calmly appropriated, as they do
all imported fadg and fashions, those
bifurcated garments for their own and
pant no longer merely with emotion or
exertion but with gingham, denim,
chambray, silk and satin.
BY quaint whimsey of fate it ism It
the advanced female of the joke who
is now wearing the trouser effects
however but the dear, domestic little
wives and mothers, the Queens of the
home" and the housewives of the
HEARTH
As a first aid to baking, brewing,
sweeping and chores Of the home in
general, nothing could be neater,
sweeter or fleeter than one of the new
pantalette house dresses.
They are made with a blouse waist,
with sailor collar and loose, three quar-
ter sleeves. They have neat little
belt. button down the front and there
are two dandy handy big patch
pockets, one on each hip. Thus far
they are no different than the little
old last years model house dress. But
below the pockets comes the great
divide into cunning little trouserettes
that clasp the ankles with an elastic
headed frill or else hang straight with
stitched band OF the material bound
ing them. like an honest to goodness
regular male trouser cuff.
On some of the prettier models this
band around the bottom Of the pantal
cites like the belt, collar, pocket and
sleeyecuffs. is of a contrasting shade
of material. These sensible and soncy
suits come in chambray, gingham, den
I'M, and Khaki in pink or blue or white
or tan.
Then there are the regulation over
! alls the female of the species resem
/ blino much the male. These are OF
course for the more strenuous walks OF
work day feminine life.
4 Skating overalls are cutting some nee
these days too, let me tell you. ran
skaters find they can cut much bet
ter figure eight or any old figure at al
in the smart new tailored trousers OF
novelty suiting and tweed. cut generous
lv wide with big flap pockets on each
hip and cunning suspenders of the same
material holding them securely II
place.
Milady of elegant leisure is painting
to be in trousered class with hel
sisters the sporting girl and the busy
housewife. SO she affects the straight
black silk trousers of the Chinese wo
man, topped with gaily embroideret
Chinese coat for her robe intime' o.
the full trousers of Turkish trophy
under flowing coat Of silk.
Wearing trousers has indeed become
such a fascinating habit that the 1871
female cannot even doff them at night
and SO she dons, when the shades Of
might have fallen down and the window
shades are down as well, cutey littlt