Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-03-30
CONSERVATION is
FASHION KEYNOTE

Otherwise. there is much novelty in
the frocks, and the combination Of
materials which the conservation Of
wool demands, brings about an up
pearance OF novelty that sometimes
does not really exist.
The young generation has grown up
in the belief that gown must be
made of the same material, and there
fore. whatever deviates in fashion from
that accepted principle, is looked upon
as dangerous experiment or as some
thing unique to be instantly accepted.
There is no doubt that the One-piece
costume is no longer necessary to
fashion or good taste. Danger lies in
these piece meal gowns, of which all
writer's have warned the public. Yet,
| the fashion is here and must be reck-
oned with.
What About the Fabrics?
The shops over this continent should
find joy in the fact that the French
gowns are not built of uncommon and
! difficult fabrics. What was on the
shelf last spring can be brought out
| this spring and sold to the most fasti-
diouS customer. The dressmakers are
not in such good luck, and therefore.
not in such high feather.
The casual observer. looking over
The French display. may say that
gowns have changed so little that
women need not put their hands in
their purses.
But the dressmakers and the report
crS know that this is not so. Paris
has changed everything sufficiently to
lure women into renewing their ward
robes. The shops should reap an
abundant harvest from this move in
Paris. The minor dressmakers should
make 4 great. deal of money. AS to the
exceedingly high-priced dressmakers
those who begin at two hundred and
fifty dollars for gown--thcy are still
nervous.
There is so much lace that we may
he dressed in it every day from four
o'clock on. The Chantilly shawl has
come back into fashion. and 1t is an
easy prophecy that every woman who
OWNS one will be trying to sell it be-
fore this month has turned into April.
All the col0red woolens. serge. ier-
sey. Cherrit twill. gabertlnC. satin.
chiffon. and tuIle are just where they
were last year.
What Of the New Suits?
The American woman has revived |
her interest in coat suits. She went !
on Il nne-piccc frock dcbauch Il year |
90 ana is slowly recovering from it.
Franco turns out an astonishing
number of gowns that are dclectahle.
yet the suit is shown more considcra-
ton than has been accorded it for two
years. In America. it will he more
worn than in France.
The tailors should have enough to
do this spring to keep them from
financial trouble On every side smart
women and others who are engaged in
all kinds Of office and open-air relief
work insist that they need today a
slim coat and skirt of wool They
know they can he patriotic enough to
keep within the four and half ward
as the new silhouette
does not demand more.
They are eagerly accepting the fash
ion for checked skirt and plain
coat. for satin Zouave jacket and a
wooden skirt. or the other way around.
A vast number are demanding suits
Of twill gaberdine and serge which ara
made on severe lines. and this return
to the early American fashion of a
mannish costume for the open air
should be encouraged by every power
full means.
In all the suits. no matter what
the material or the choice of color or
combined colors. the skirt is narrow.
although it need not he tucked in ut
the hem. and the jacket is short. It
reaches the top of the high girtlle. it
Just escapes the curve Of the hips. or
t rests on the bone of the hips.
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)