The New York herald., 1921-08-21
Looking at the New FASH
ions i'm a Personal
Way.
~ ARIS proposes, but the Amer
- lean woman disposes.

No one knows that better
than the American importers or the
buyers for American stores, who go
pouring onto the continent and fairly
tread on each others toes in their
effort TO follow what is new in French
clothes and to make necessary pur-
chases.
1t is important for them TO know
Paris-at least the Paris that centres
its interests in making and wearing
clothes at this time of year. 1t is i'm
portant for them to know how to buy
Lots of things are important-but
most important for them is the knowl-
edge of American women. Conglomo-
rate though we are, product of melt
Ing pot in which have been thrown all
the races of Europe. there is very
distinct something that is American
taste, as unlike French taste as 1t is
unlike British or South American
taste.
The French dressmakers and de-
signers. most of them. think they know
what this American taste amounts to-
They seem to think that by making GER
tain alterations to suit the different
average anatomy of the American fig
ure. by eliminating certain trimmings
and adding some others. lengthening one
season and shortening another, they
will suit the American taste. But there
Is more to It than that. 1t is the result
of so many complex forces that when
man or woman possesses this interpre-
tation of American taste we usually
call 1t intuition.
-,
the French fashions all interpreted for
you. You may be sure that in five or
six weeks the shops where you buy will
have a carefully assorted, well expur-
gated rendering OF what has been shown
in France this year You will probably
not realize at what pains and cost, what
worry and what jealousies and rivalries
sometimes. these things are ready there
for your choosing.
Remember, however. that these things
have usually been selected for the aver
age American woman.
Interpreting Dress Events.
Some women-many or them-find
diversion and help. sometimes even a
source of economy in interpreting the
events in the dress centres of France
for themselves. You may follow the
how or other 1t shows you better than
anything else the trend OF opinion and
taste. because il brings you into very
close touch with France in a season
when you must stay at home. How
much easier TO imagine the French
races IL you know that this season they
have worn black and white, combina
tions of black and white and shades OF
violet. II you know that there have been
striking examples OF long bouffant skirts
with the predominance OF skirts in
straight lines only fairly long. that fringe
I1d jet have played an important role,
That women are wearing Spanish hats,
that black lace floats from these hats or
forms the wraps with which they are
worn. that sleeves that are long or flow
Ing form contrast TO sleeves that still
reveal almost the entire arm
Now YOU may read fashion news
merely for this sort Of diversion. You
are wise II you look at the matter sub
jectively. asking yourself as you read
OF these departures in dress just what
bearing they may hclpfully have on
your personal dress problem. Anything
like a literal reading would be absurd.
Just because one French woman makes
a fad of wearing real flowers on her
hat. don't come 20 the conclusion that
you must consult the florist as we'll as
the miIliner about your new hat.
Because the correspondents make
good deal Of the fact that some one ap-
pearcd In the Bots de Boulogne wearing
white shoe with a black stocking and
n black shoe with white stocking.
don't imagine that Parlsians have all
gone In for a pibad effect just be-
cause some friend IN Paris writes you
~Aat Every one In Paris is wearing
enormous. long skirts" don't be entirely
convinced. Remember that one very
long bouffant skirt would attract more
attention than four Of tNe sort you are
used TO seeing.
What about skirts Anyway What
policy should you aNppt IL planning
new clothes now that YOU VIII want to
wear 80 autumn. N~esibly into the
winter
FrenoA ..apmen arc going slowly and
american wptVsp vS1i 90 even more
slswly. Howe,ss rse very short skirt