The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-02-10

at the short, narrow skirt,
which is accepted as part
of the war - Short ava
tors capes and medieval
corslets that wrinkle from
hip to neck, are part OF
new fashions - S h ort
zouave jackets that show
brilliant sashes, aid In con-
seryation of material.
Twelfth century TUNES
like coats Of mail appear
in Paris-Silver trimming
and lace revived for the
evening.
The conservation of wool is an 60
tsblshed fact in France and Ahleries
II is a fact that will entirely chahse
our conception of apparel.
c;il viii rule. The world has a sur
nlns of other materials, it would seeiii'
from statistics and yet, the founda'loi.
stone of conservation Will eAteii'i
throughout the fashionable ciotneS
sfor the period of the war"
The fundamental idea of saving mas
nanetrated the consciousness of our
reople. the propaganda is SO "iae-
no historian
the future will surely look with eN-
traordinary interest upon the psscno-
logical change that took place IN wv
0oo 600 people in eight months.
There are no changes in a nalloh
that do not create surprise Wnen lhey
are thrust upon it by an invading army
in war, but the change in America IS
one of spirit. There is money aplenty'
men by the millions, industries at luii
speed. and yet, with wealth and re-
sources, 100, goo, 900 people have turned
sommersault in their attitude toward
material strength.
it is extraordinary. 1t is profound
" interesting and stimulating. II Is
the acorn which may grow into ma
tional oak OF towering height and
strength.
= RI has struck at the core of our ma
t:onal spirit 1t has brought us BACK
to the days of our Puritan ancestors
IT has made us middle class in the bes'
sense of the term. Today it Is a pas
sion TO save Yesterday it was oui
passion to spend.
We reversed our entire national out
look in six months, not FOR the pur
pose of ACKNOWLEDGMENT or conquest
but for the relief of oppression Wht
after this can dare say that we ar
not. in the final judgment, spiritua
people2
The passion for conservation wipe
out of existence the fashion for flow
ing robes made of plenteous material
Whenever a slim silhouette has bee
thrust into the fashions, whenever a.
extremely short and narrow skirt ha
been offered to women. critics galor
have risen in their chickering's and de
: nounced women as immodest, indecen
+. ana vain TO the uttermost degree.
There is no such pickering toda!
however. The critics Of women
clothes remain silent. man look
/. appraisingly at a woman gowned in
conservation costume and mods n
head in approval. as though she cal
ried a flag.
There is no more talk about inds
cency. The talk hinges upon the pa
triotism shown in the slenderness {
silhouette and in the scarcity of ms
terials won Therefore, fashion an
national approval go hand in han
Unless we are mock ingly indecent, an
there is no chance Of that today, thei
is none to rise and call us outrageou
The excessive decolletage of tw
years ago would create a storm of pro
test in any public place. Gigglin
painted women with mere belts he
over their shoulders by slipping bant
of rhinestones, would be frowned dow
by men in Khaki and by those in civ
ilian clothes.
And yet, women may go on II
street with skirts SO short and Mario
that they closely resemble trouser
and laced army boots or puttees TIL
reach well above the calf of the II
AMI not a glance is given them tn
expresses contempt or disapproval.
The new suits in Paris, as well
those that are launched in Amerio
show these skirts Some are so ma
row that they might cause discomfo
If it were not that their shortne
gave freedom of movement.
Coats are short when they belong
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