South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-20

Fortunate. indeed. it is for the
woman OF today who has a decided
liking for undergarments that are
dainty and pretty as we'll as useful,
that that old colonial edict that no
silk stuffs IN garments or pieces
Except for hoods and scarfs) shall
be imported" is no longer in force,
for silk. as a fabric for such wear,
is becoming not only a favorite but
a fairly moderate priced material,
within the reach OF many women.
There are many reasons, also,
why silk. which was once consider
cd a great luxury, only 10 be worn
by the very rich. is now considered
by many TO have made its way out
OF that class. in many instances,
and into the one labeled "econOmi-
cal" In the first place. IL is said
that silk is the most enduring Of
hbres, that a single thread OF il is
twice as strong as hemp. Processes
OF selection and manufacture have
also done much 20 bring silk under
garments within the means Of the
woman with a smalI-sized purse.
of silk not only analyses his silks
carefully and subjects his finished
products TO a most rigorous inspec-
ton but. also. instead Of buying
silk already woven and ready for
cutting. buys his materials in the
raw state. selecting only hard, firm
cocoons. those which silk experts
know viii yield this finest. purest,
strunger-than- hemp thread Gar
ments, made from such carefully
chosen materials. are the sort that
q woman who spends her money
carefully and wisely may buy with
a clear conscience, knowing that
she Is combining both beauty and
utility with economy.
The bungly knitted garments Of
the SOS have. happily. largely dis
appeared from the wardrObes of
women: they prohibited that trim.
neat. well-dtting appearance which
every well-dressed woman demands
in the clothes that she wears. And
now IL is beginning 20 look as
though the silk garments were, in
their turn. taking the prominent
place which those Of fine linen and
batiste and other cotton materials
have held so long. The reasons
given for this evolution in under
wear styles are that the popular un-
derwear silks OF today are soft and
warm and fine and pliable. Those
Of good quality are cut individually
by skilled workmeu and are graceful
and well fitting For example, a
soft silk. like that known as Italian,
ciings closely 20 the figure. does not
bunch and wrinkle and ride up"
As we say, nor make ones outer
garments bulge unpleasantly, there
by spelling the lines upon which
many OF them rely so largely for
their style and general good looks.
Satin, crepe de chine and italian
silks-washable varieties OF all. Of
course-are the usual materials
from which the popular silk under
wear, seen I'm the shops today. is
made. These launder well and
easily. although care must be
taken not 20 rub them nor 10 use
any soap other than a good pure.
white kind. They should be wash
ed in soap suds and lukewarm wa
ter. and not have the soap directly
rubbed upon them. They should be
rinsed until entirely free from soap
in clear cold water. pulled gently
tengthwise and ironed with a warm,
not a hot iron. while still damp. II
treated so. their beauty and luster
will be retained and. il IS said, they
should last for years
As for trimming, hemstitching.
both by hand and by machinery. is
IN high favor. so are inserts Of laces
-Valenciennes hlet, shadow, Ven
Use. Chantnly. applique and Meehlin.
sometimes also OF chiffon or net.
This adornment. with or without
clusters OF the tiniest tucks and
quaint little embroidered nosegays.
in delicate cOlors. make the gar
ments really attractive a wealth
OF styles and designs may be found