Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-06
VX7ASHTNGTON, D. c., Nov. 3O-An in
wv teresting struggle between the

vHTASHTNGTON, D. c., Nov. S0-An in
w teresting struggle between the
American woman and the dictators
of fashion is in full swing. New York oracles
proclaim that the leg is no longer fashion
able Generally, the faintest whisper from
the sanctums of fashion is heard from Maine
to New Mexico, and the response Is in
stantaneous,
But this time there is well defined re-
volt against the edict. Much of feminine
New York, lamblike, has taken to ankle
length skirts. But in cities and way stations
across the country the knee is still proudly
shown by tlappers, debutantes and others
who make up the fashion parade.
1t seems apparent that the feminine leg,
released after centuries of bondage, is loath
to retire.
"Why should it," asks fIapper of our
acquaintance. ga knee-length skirt at
tracts attention at bathing beach. No
one looks more than twice at girl in golf
Knockers. Why should knee be seen on the
beach but hidden on the street?"
The answer seems to be that fashion has
always been the worlds favorite topic for
gossip. Court beaux and beauties would
have been bored to revolution had they not
had the latest styles to defend and denounce.
The farthingale kept Elizabeth's court anus
ed and shocked. The shoes worn by the
medieval courtier-which ended in points a
foot or two beyond his natural feet and and
spurs at the back like bird claws-were good
for hours of absorbing conversation Sir
Gawain, Of ,Gawkshire, he' just had a pair
made No one supposed he would adopt the
fashion. The Duke of Duckton had written
furious Genunciation of the fashion in
shoes. That would mean a new lease on life
for the pointed toe.
So, throughout European history, kings,
and courts amused themselves by inventing
new modes ana then eXaggerating them un-
til, like over-blown ballons, they exploded. A
style that was regarded as shocking was re-
garded as tame by the next generation, which
honestly saw nothing terrible in it, but was
all excited over the newest extravagant mode.
So, throughout European history, kings,
queens, and courts amused themselves by in
venting new modes and then exaggerating
! them UNTIL like over-blown balloons they ex-
ploded. style that was regarded as shock
ing was regarded as tame by the next gen.
GRAFTON, which honestly saw nothing terrible
in it, but was all excited over the newest ex-
travagant mode
All this time court ladies wore long dress
es, sometimes with trains so cumbersome
that the moralists raved bitterly against the
flivolities Of womanhood. Women of rank
concealed beneath skirts The reck and arm
appeared and disappeared but the leg re-
NAMED ---steEious appendage.
Court Tradition Dominates
1t IS all these centuries of court tradition
that make the feminine leg so unconvention-
turtles that the people as mass have been
following the fashions. And now that we
do, we take our presidents from court styles
not from peasant clothing. II we look to
peasant garb, we find that a woman's ankle,
and even the calf and knee were in many
countries shown matter of course in the
very days wher a court damsel pretended
that she moved on wheels.
According to books ON costume, the peas
ant women Of some parts of Holland wore
IAN exceedingly short skirt" picture
shows the skirt as being about the length of
the modern skirt that stocks the passing
generation. Swiss peasant girl of Lueerne
few decades back Is shown wearing a skirt
that the book frankly says revealed the knee
and sometimes the garter. But there is no
background in these pictures showing a row
of lifted eyebrows.
These women dressed in short skirts for
farm work. And when they made holiday
clothes they used the same pattern and
made the costume beautiful by embroidery
and better material.
The court lady's hardest work was Cross
ing the ballroom without tanglng her train.
She could afford to be cripple for the
sake Of fashion The busy peasant could not.
Today the modern woman is more akin
to the peasant woman in the activity of her
life. The short skirt, therefore, suits her.
The flapper who sails down the avenue at