Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1918-03-02

The army overcoats which were
supplied by the thousands and took
up great mass of wool, were the
first to come under the ban of ex-
travagance as soon as the soldiers in
France found that they were too long
for the mud of Flanders and Picardy.
Other bits Of extravaganza which
are unnecessary are included In a
long list published by the manufac-
turers of mems clothing. A reduction
in yardage will result If these certain
features are eliminated.
From this list 1t would appear that
the manufacturers of mems costumes
have really gone into the conserva-
ton with determination. 1t Is quite
astonishing how many small things
they have found that can be eliml-
mated without detriment to the APP
pearance or servlceability of the gar
ment.
Their list Is lesson in thrift.
Think of taking flaps from the peck
cts of vests, piping from seams, col
lars from vests, outside cash pockets
from coats, tupnel loops from trousers
and tabs from overcoat sleeves and
finding that the conservation of mate
rial In these small features is enough
to outfit great number of soldiers.
Season of CIinging Clothes.
OF one thing we are all certain:
that our clothes will cling to the fig
ure. OF another thing we are not
quite certain: that the silhouette will
be straight.
The tendency toward wrapped gowns
and toward the oriental movement of
fabric around the body is too strong
and important to be overlooked. 1t is
quite probable that the designers will
offer it as means of making the
straight silhouette look out of fash
ion.
There is little possibility that our
clothes will fare, but there is no prob
ability that they win be attenuated. A
scarcity of wool does not mean scare
ty Of other fabrics.
The materials chosen for the new
spring gowns are admirable adjuncts
of the new movement. Crepe de chine
and tussah are in the lead, whereas
satin is somewhat shelved for every
thing but evening gowns.
The Canteen Coat.
1t was not possible for American
fashions to avoid the military infiu-
ence, although there was pressure
against it here as in France. Old and
half-forgotten wars gave the designers
inspiration, but the present war was
too vital to influence dress at this
hour.
However, there are certain garments
that have been taken up by women and
put into high fashion, which are dis
tinctly drawn from the battlefront in
France.
One is the swinging cape and
wrapped turban of horizon blue cloth.
Another is the high boot or puttee that
reaches nearly to the knees and Is
worn on the street; and third--and
this Is the most dominant fashions
the new canteen coat.
This can only be worn by members
of the Red Cross, but who is there in
this country today who hasn't the right
to place a small or large Croix Rouge
somewhere on the costume? The last
drive caught almost everyone in its
mesh.
This coat has been designed by "A
Fifth avenue dressmaker. 1t is of dark
blue cloth. 1t laps over so broadly in
front that one has strong suspicion
that there are boomers beneath in
stead of skirt.
The immense pockets are well below
the hips. The revers fall back or lap
over and fasten for warmth. On the
cuff, and on the high turnover collar,
is the red symbol placed on a square
of horizon blue cloth. The cap, which
is shaped somewhat like that of the
Belgian officers, has the symbolic en-
blem in front.
Copyright, 1915 by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)