Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-26

Some Of us last longer than others in
this endurance test, but sooner or later
we go under. We buy long before we
need clothes, forcing the season and rem /.
dering our present wardrobe useless.
In summer the same thing happens. We
are sweltering and have a nice collection
6t lingerie dresses and light hats. Sud-
denly the shop windows bring forth
black robes and the first fall wraps,
whose heavy, hot material positively
wearies one to view.
But by and by the quiet elegance of
dark blue cheviot and chic black hats Is
borne in on us, and the sight of these
makes our light, fluffy summer gowns
appear faded and cheap. (And sum-
mer furs--how outrageous To rush
the season and always be ahead Of the
styles is a mark of good taste and
wealth, for poor people have to hang on
to what they have and cannot afford
the actual cash to buy new things the
moment they. have paid for the present
season s wardrobe.
Thus We are snobbish in the extreme,
trying to exploit our nlpney.
Cowardly and snobbish. There are
innumerable evils attendant on this
slavish rushing Of the season and grasp
ing the oncoming fashions; yet how
many women are daring enough to 20
serenely on, wearing their clothes be-
cause they still are In good repair and
are becoming, although not the latest
mode?
One does not advocate being so ex-
treme as to appear ridiculous. 1t is
impossible to thwart conventions too
far. We simply cannot appear in hoop
skirts when all the feminine world Is
wearing long draperies around its legs.
I|ut We can use some independence and
not be tied hand and foot by silly GUS
toms.
The trade recognizes that there are
a few women who will not be led. Al
ways there Is common sense minority !!
IL hats "are being worn huge" this sea :
son you will find that there are a. few
attractive styles in small shapes. When
you insist the saleswoman sighs and
reluctantly gets them out. They are not
'the thing but you are an eccentric.
and she must please you. II enough
women used their own minds they could
force styles to be sensible.
If you doubt this look at the length
Of present skirts. The extreme women of
Paris decided to cut them to the knee.
Preachers ragged. parents stormed, men
made coarse jokes and stared. All
feminine modesty Of centuries was cast
aside ioyously and brazenly, while wom-
ell exposed their legs to the garter, be-
cause It was the decree of fashion.
Mos. girls preferred being called i'm
prorer to being out of style!
Bullock about you and you will
see that proportion still wear their
dresses and suits about nine inches from
the ground. They are fat or middle
aged, perhaps, but they are unwilling to
take up the absurdity. and they find
plenty of costumes this length. -
New We are not so helpless as il
the power of the pocketbook is even
greater than that of Dame Fashion.
Tyrnnts must bow to gold.
Look at photographs fifteen years old.
Why are they so hidcous? Why do we
They are what appeared lovely to us
then. They have not changed: they
always were outlandish. " is simply
that our eye was jaundiced by the pre-
vailing mode Of the day, and it ap-
peared attractive. Now our eyes are
normal, in 80 far as that style is con :
cerned. and we view it in all its hide
BUSINESS.
See the charming and graceful dra :
peries of ancient Greek statues. No one
jcers at them thousands of years after
ward. Observe the lovely colors and
soft textures of Oriental draperics
women wear the same costumes for
years. always looking beautiful Each
dress" Of an East Indian woman con
sists Of so many yards of silk. Of one
color. folded and laid away with jewels
to match. Fashion does not render it
useless.
Let us standardizc our dress, discov-
ering some universal and attractive
mode, and always select pretty and be-
coming colors. Why be weak towards,
dictated to forever?