Evening star., 1918-02-03
Early Spring Silhouette of American Women Is Without
RY ANNE RIrTENHoUsE.

-HAT large groups of persons on
this continent, called society.
which means those who have
& money to indulge in what they
wish to do decide between two prob
lens.
They did not know whether it was
best to fight out the cold of heatiess
houses in the north or 10 take their
chances of getting south within lie"
savs after they started. Each case
brought its train of evils Eacn situa-
ton was full of discomfort
The majority of them shrugged 'helf
shoulders with the trick we are trying
to learn from the French and used the
phrase that has become Incorporated IN
our language, dams la guerre. CONNIE
la suerre-"
The sweeping adjustment of the rail-
roads brought disorganization for
while. as all readjustments are expect
ed TO do, and what with the through
trains being taken Off, changes having
70 be made from parlor cars to sleep
ing coaches and unavoidable delays to
be endured at crossroads and functions
the set that has money to travel was
not quite sure that it wanted to travel
1t is quite probable, say the students
OF social conditions. that the majority
OF people who have money and leisure
would have remained in their ice
bound homes this winter If the heating
facilities had been normal, but they
were not
The east, the middle west and the
h
famine and ice at the same time The
south had its own terror in the lack OF
coal and unusually severe weather. So
the evils of migration chased them-
selves around in a vicious circle
The dressmakers, who must be op-
portunists 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 won 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 always sure of fair skies and
moderate temperature in that alluring
spot on the Caribbean sea there has
Havana presents more novelty than
the Florida. Georgia and South Caro-
lima cities. Another language is spoken.
other customs prevail and the Latin
brush has been passed over everything
and left its mark of color, allurement
and brilliancy. Therefore, the clothes
that went to Cuba We're extremely good
looking.
1t is undoubtedly important to take
coSnizance of the clothes that were in
vented for the south. They were put
out in tentative manner 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 its faith in sport clothes
Possibly that is because Aiken is easily
more fashionable and has more social
prestige than any other colony fore
gathered in the south, and as it is in
innate and goes there for outdoor
pleasure purely 1t not only indulges in
new sport clothes, but in many many
old ones.
For this reason Aiken is probably one
of the most comforting resorts in the
world. except 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 a bit You are not
quite sure what the dressmakers are
trying to do.
The straight silhouette has been ap-
proved, the scarcity of material ac-
cepted. pleated skirts are accomplished
and the verdict has been given for
strictly tailored and manrish apparel
And yet. before the eyes. an actual and
concrete fact, are frocks that are girl
fsh and futile and full of small and
minor trihes that destroy elegance.
There are fichus and ruchings and
pieated bands of ribbon and silly sashes