New-York tribune., 1918-02-03

coaches, and unavoidable delays to be endured
at crossroads and functions, the set that has
money to travel not quite sure that it
wanted to travel
Uncertain Whether to Travel or Stay
at Home
1t is quite probable, say the students of So
cial conditions, that the majority of people
who have money and leisure would have re-
manned in their icebound homes this winter if
the heating facilities had been normal, but
they were not.
The East, the Middle West and the North
west were gripped with coal famine and ice
at the same time. The South had it's own ter
Tor in the lack of coal and unusually severe
weather. So the evils of migration chased
themselves around in a vicious circle
The dressmakers, who must be oppor-
tunlsts, divided their time between offering
stay-at-home clothes that looked as though
they were intended for Siberian winter and
thin apparel that is always associated with
the sands of Palm Beach in February
1t must be said at this hour that both kinds
of clothes out. So far, the season seems
equally divided between the obstinate ones who
are going to fight it out in cold houses and
those who are taking their chances on long
trip to the palms.
Havana has leaped into prominence as
rival to the Florida cities, and as one is al
ways sure of fair skies and moderate tempera-
ture in that alluring spot the Caribbean
Sea, there has been rush of visitors there.
Havana presents more novelty than the
Florida, Georgia and South Carolina Cities
Another language is spoken, other customs pre-
vail and the Latin brush has been passed over
1oF4
ment and brilliancy. Therefore, the clothes
that went to Cuba were extremely cookbook
ing.
Shifting of Fashion to Suit the General
Chaos
1t is undoubtedly important to take cogni-
zance Of the clothes that were invented for the
South. They were put out in tentative man
ner because of chaotic conditions that the war
brought about not only in travel, but in the ex-
penditure of money. The dressmakers knew
that no one would want these clothes except
for Augusta, Havana Miami and Palm Beach,
Aiken puts it's faith in sport clothes. Pos
slbly that is because Aiken is easily more fash
lonable and has more social prestige than any
other colony foregathered in the South, and as
it is intimate and goes there for outdoor pleas
ure purely, it INDUCES not only in new sport
clothes, but in many, many old ones.
For this reason Aiken is probably one of
the ,sost comforting resorts in the world, ex-
eept for those who connect any place away
from home with the ability to wear and see
new apparel.
The first glance at the new Southern clothes
bewilders bit. You are not quite sure what
the dressmakers trying to do.
The straight silhouette has been annroved
the scarcity of material accepted, pleated skirts
are accomplished and the verdict has been
given for strictly tailored and mannsh ap-
parel. And yet, before the eyes, an actual and
concrete fact, are frocks that are girish and
futile and full Of small and minor trif1es that
destroy elegance.
There are fichus and ruchings and pleated
bands of ribbon and silly sashes and awkward
ioopings at the ankles, and baby sleeves fin
ished with ruffles and, sometimes, with a few
blossoms.
Is this the new silhouette produced by Amer