Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-19
Anne Rittenhouse Writes of
the Newest Ideas From
Paris-Crepe de Chine Re-
mains Popular-The In
changed Silhouette.
BY ANNE RITTENHOUsE.

|
X the mecca of those who intend
to sell new clothes to the Amer
lean people.
Throughout the heated days rows
upon rows of buyers have sat wait
Ing to see. to criticise. to buy what
they thought would appeal to us.
In the OF hours they, along with
hundreds of fashionables from our
country. have dipped into the gaye-
ties provided for foreigners-gayetie
that also intrigue many Europeans
VINO are fitting through Paris. al
though it is not the social season
there.
New things have been offered, dom
mating fashions established, novel;
ties flashed before those who are
willing to be shocked. Watches worn
on the ankles. jeweled low shoes at
dances are commented on, but they
are really minor and individual FASH
ions which those who must be in the
limelight rely upon throughout the
changing seasons to attract attention.
They are not fashions that swing
down the strong currents Of conti-
mental costumery.
They add to the gayety and inter-
est of the picture in Paris They are
what foreigners go to see. They con-
tribute to the gossip that goes on i'm
ceasingly among those who have paid
the highest prices in history to cross
the ocean for the purpose of accumu-
lating material with which to work
when the autumn glides in.
Therefore the Americans who stay
at home, where they have also seen
some interesting fashions develop.
are eager and willing to hear what IL
eYA tvNc y, L. n
there is gossip as it comes from one
who dips into Paris life socially, and
eartorially, with an eye to the direc-
ton Of the current.
The bathing suit is well known and
is rarely departed from by even the
crepe de chine one piece frock. no
trimming. low in the neck, short OF
sleeve, with a string girdle of mate
rial. The French use this attenuated
foundation for their jewels which they
wear in harness fashion with the
From hips to top Of head they cover
themselves with pearls and colored
stones, rarely, il ever, diamonds.
Large pearls in long or short
strings such as rich Americans wear
have dIs Ss except except on Amer
eral strings of pearls. small ones.
graded to fall 1.-The waist line. None
but the dowagers wear the ancient
and honorable huge necklace. That
sounds as IL Paris has the money to
buy new gems. for these small grad
uated pearls show unmistakable mo-
dernity.
The effect is actually Indian and
Persian. 1t is reversal to the
splendor of the formal costumes of
fashion has been strongly turning for
three months. Witness the long red
ingote with it's full hem, the gorgeous
splashing embroideries, the Magyar
hats with the pointed visors heavily
enriched with bright colors.
lights In picking out two extra rich
American women in Paris who are
seen about everywhere. wearing
pearls that look like hard-boiled eggs
in their ears and around their fun
necks. They say the Parisienne lifts
the French woman of fashion can
only afford a few pearls she has these
strung az bracelet fastened with a
diamond clasp. It's wonderful how
quickly these bracelets grow into
necklaces. say Americans.
X 4
When the Americans Enormously
question the reason for such new
prices as they are asked. the French
government has just added a 10 per
cent tax to their sales, and there Is a
new rental increase of SO per cent
This is why simple serge frock. not
at one of the great houses, costs 1000
francs, which can be translated into
about $275.
A duvetyne frock with some en-
brcidery costs 3,200 francs. an even
ing gown, 5000 francs. The impor-
tant houses ask far more than this.
Two negliges were priced at $500
francs apiece. -
That may give an American an
inkling of what 10 to be expected in
prices when these frocks are sold over
here. or even copied. The Americans
who fondly hoped they could fit them
selves out with large wardrobe in
Paris to avoid the high price of
clothes in this country were sadly
disappointed. The franc, just to spite
the tourists, was not so accommodate
ing in it's relation to a dollar as 1t
had been for nine months.
If one moves from Paris the prices
increase instead Of lessening At
Deauville. for instance. during the
month Of August, when the races
were going on, there was no limit to
what was asked for every item. The
place was an orgy Of money spending,
and the spenders were by no means
from the two Americas, from where
the gold is expected. Unless you were
we'll known and tipped accordingly,
there was no service at ALL One