Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1921-11-03
RUSSIA FOLLOWS
FASHION ED|CTS
American Couch Covers and Ia
blecIoths Become ShaWlS
and Undertaking.
AMATEUR EXPORTERS ACTIVE
Used American Clothing In Large
Quantities Sent to People In Dire
Distress Through National
Lutheran Council, Ship
ping Brokers.


Fashions In Russia this season show
a distinct North American influence.
Skirts have a cut precisely like the
prevailing mode In Philadelphia,
sleeves hang at an angle familiar In
Sioux Falls, and sweaters will be quite
the rage. In fact, most Of the wear
ing apparel over there is now being
imported direct from the States. No
group OF factories have a monopoly on
these shipments but in towns and
country places all over the country
amateur exporters are setting up q
fiourishing trade with Russia through
their shipping brokers, the National
Lutheran Council at New York City.
Boys and girls are collecting last
winters things that they have out
grown, sending them to market
where children are not taking larger
sizes this year. Thousands and thou
swallowed up in the clothes Ameri-
can children Of like age would burst
out Of after a week or two. Their
last years clothes would do, and many
times even year-before-last's, II they
only had such a thing. For styles
have been In the reverse over there
for several years. 1t has about now
got to where nothing much Is
left but motley combinations Of sal
vaged 1914 models and two sacks. Chill
dren, even little babies, are wearing
their fathers old coats, often two to a
coat. So many Of the fathers no long
er need coats. Horse blanket shawls
are extensively In vogue, though they
are rather scratchy, and tablecloths
for underwear are so sought after that
the whole country is practically snatch
ed bare Of them. Dining tables are
almost out OF use anyway. Little girls
who have mothers and are extremely
fortunate, wear loosely made dresses
OF chintz and cretonne that look like
curtains and couch covers In fact.
they were curtains and couch covers
In previous incarnation.
Apparel shipped from the United
States Is immensely popular and ID
crowds OF customers take the last
garment, don them proudly on the spot
and wear them home. That is, where
they have home. Russians are most
adaptable and wear these creations
from another continent with perfect
ease Imagine the furore a Nebraska
grain grower would stir up at the
prospect Of being logged out In a red
corduroy MILDLY blouse, belted in over
olive green knickerbockers that tuck
into high felt boots But those
swarthy black bearded Russians nut on
pinch-back coats without q murmur.
nor do they finch at tight trousers.
even. They may shrug a bit-as much
as the close fitting shoulder seams al.
low-and then 60 on about the DAYS
business. Most Of the business is along
lines OF exploration and food products
They search day and night for some
thing to eat.
These non-professional American ex-
porters are very busy now establish.
ing the modes for winter and spring in
Russia, and all through central Europe
Schoolgirls will be wearing Bramley
dresses, wool skirts and warehouses;.
One-piece gingham frocks and slip-ons
are going strong. Overcoats, sweaters
small boys Buster Browns, Oliver
Twists, and plain knicker suits, such
as are hanging useless in a million
American clothes closets, are in great
demand. There is a steady market for
capes and dolmans, and also for shoes
-brogues. high shoes, sports shoes and
heavy soled oxfords. Baby clothes
have taken brisk furry, and all knit
goods are speedily snapped up.
The cost OF exporting Is extremely
low and there is no duty. In packages.
bales. and barrels, clothing is sent to
the National Lutheran Council ware
houses, 81 Perry street, New York CITY.
where 1t is promptly shipped to Russia
and other parts Of Europe, at 4 cents
a pound. A whole family can be OCT
fitted with $1.00 transportation charge
from New York.