South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-30
WIDE VARIETY SHOWN
IN STREET CLOTHING

Whether to buy a tailored suit. or
a dress and separate coat. that is
the problem which confrOnts the
woman who goes forth at this time
TO spend her dress allowance, and
this spring the question is rather
puzzling one. Some years are what
the garment makers call suit
years" when the problem is settled,
before we even begin 10 shop, by
the manufacturers; other years, the
shops show nothing, comparatively
speaking, but one-piece dresses and
coats. But this year both suits and
dresses are shown in amazing va
riety, and wise indeed is the woman
who has looked over her wardrobe
and reached a decision as TO what
she needs, before she goes TO the
stores.
The new suits are distinctive in
several ways Coats are just finger
tip length, as a rule, and many of
them have the loose outside pocket
effect. achieved by turning up the
bottom of the coat at the sides and
in front The skirts are narrow, as
rumor predicted that they would be.
The more extreme models have made
allowance for the wearer's need.
either by Sitting the skirt at the
back seam for a few inches up from
the hem, or, as in one case, by maxi
ing the skirt with the front and
back widths absolutely separate as
far up as the hips: these two sec
tions were then caught together at
intervals down the sides by by short
threads, heavily buttonholed. which
held the two sections together ex-
cept when the wearer was walking.
When such skirts as these are worn.
there is worn also a heavy satin slip,
matching the skirt in color.
The tight fitting. severely tailored
suit is not so much shown as are
the looser coated, more youthful
looking models Narrow belts are
on nearly all of these jackets, fasten-
ing at the side the skirts of the
coats are rather full, and are quite
apt to be incOnspicuously trimmbed.
Embroidered silk arrow heads make
one such coat interesting; another is
bound with narrow. fiat. black silk
braid; still another harks back TO
the woven ribbon work in which our
grandmothers delighted. the skirt Of
the coat being made Of black rib
bon, woven in a squared pattern with
the blue tricOtine of which the suit
was made. Tucks. running cross
wise, relieve these short jackets Of
plainness, and sometimes, on suits
meant for formal wear. an embroid-
cred band around the bottom edge
Of the coat gives it distinction one
delightfully."- simple suit OF dark blue
serge had rather wide. rolled seams.
which made a decidedly interesting
finish The wide, scarf collar. one
end o. which is thrown over the
wearers shoulder. is nearly always
becoming. but is of course. imprac-
teal On a suit which must be worn
on all occasions and in all weathers
since it's effect is more becoming
than trim.
The colOred vest. which comes
down well below the walstline. is "a
winter fashion detail which seems TO
have lasted over into the spring. II
is valuable in that it gives a note Of
contrasting color 10 a dark suit. and
may be almost any material-silk,
satin, or brocade being acceptable;
liz frequently is heavily embroidered
in colored or metallic threads The
coat does not cover this vest. as q
rule. only the narrow belt crossing II
and the effect is that OF a short coat
and dress, rather than OF a two
piece suit and blouse.
Blouses for the new suits are de-
lightful The blouse OF georgette
crepe, chiffon or crepe de chine
which is so made that it comes over
the wastline in front. and has a belt
OF its own. gives 10 the plafn tailor