The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1919-04-07
Bv MRS. MORTON

Last year when the Board who had
the say about wool conservation gave
out the edict that all unnecessary en-
bellishments should be left off OF mems
clothes, they left out the clause about
what boys should not wear. There
was never any accountable reason for
this, but it remained for the boys to
retain their Norfolk backs and real
belts and patch pockets. So this
spring we do not notice as much of a
change In their apparel as in that Of
their elders. The only difference is
that we shall see them emulating
their fathers and big brothers in the
assumption Of the waistline which is
the newest note in fashions for grown
ups. Suits of covert cloth with two
high patch pockets and curved seams
are decidedly nipped in at the waist,
and some of them have imitation belts
stitched on across the back. These
suits have nifty hats to match and
shirts with hairline stripes to carry
out the color scheme. Tan and gray,
regular seagoing gray, are the best
colors for the dress-up suit.
There has never been such run on
anything, say the merchants, as there
has started to be and bids fair to con-
tinue all summer, on "gob" suits for
small boys. These are made with
long trousers, and in addition to the
regulation blue, they are made up in
dark gray, tan and white, with collars
Of green. yellow and blue. For the
youngster who wants to be real salt,
there are leggins of white duck and a
white hat.
Future officers in the navy will re-
joice at the sight of the white duck
suits for little ensigns. They have
brass buttons which can be easily re-
moved for laundering, and have also
the navy emblems on the shoulder, as
well as a cap to match.
For the growing boy of thirteen,
that age when boys should be incar-
cerated for a few years, there are
suits which have been designed, by
some gifted person, to camouflage the
ungainly lines of adolescent youth
Long trousers, rather short straight
coat, going in ever SO little at the
waist, and an Eton collar create a
,dignified yet very boyish costume
which will help him from feeling that
he is all hands and feet.
Play suits of dark gray chambray
are made up in a pleasing variety OF
styles for the little fellow. Most pop
ular are the middies, trench, Russian
blouse and Oliver Twist models. Ma
terials other than chambray are rep,
linen crash, homespun and khaki.
For the boy who is allowed to dress
up in the afternoons, or who will do it
II properly persuaded, there are
knickerbockers OF white flannel with
a coat made Norfolk style of dark
gray cheviot. If he is at summer re-
sort, he will want to wear a pair OF
woolen half hose with a gay knitted
border. A Buster Brown collar is the
final touch that makes the costume
snappy as it should be, and it isn't
out OF place to add that he will not
wear 1t If the choice is left with him.
Trousers are all being made now
adays with reinforced knees and seats,
and the shops are still giving two
pairs with coat even at that. There
Is new cotton material which great
ly resembles tweed, and which makes
very serviceable and genteel looking
trousers for every day wear Knick-
erbockers are shown in a new version
fasten at the knees like fitted
riding breeches. We are seeing in the