Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1922-03-09
RUSSIA FOLLOWS
FASHION EDICTS
American Couch Covers and Ta-
bIecIoths Become ShaWis
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.
Skirs nave a cut precisely like the
prevailing mode in Philadelphia,
sleeves hang at an angle familiar in
Sioux Fails, 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 apd
country places all over the country
amateur exporters are setting UP
dourishing 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
sands of Russian youngsters would be
wallowed up in the clothes Ameri-
can children of like age would burst
out of after a week or two Their
asst years clothes would do, and many
times even year-before-last's, if 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
heir fathers old coats, often two to
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
n previous incarnation.
Apparel shipped from the United
States Is immensely popular and Is
hardly unpaeked before the eager
crowds Of customers take the last
garment, don them proudly on the spot
md 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 red
corduroy MILDLY blouse, belted in over
olive green knickerbockers that tuck
INTO high felt boots. But those
swarthy black bearded Russians put on
pinch-back coats without murmur,
nor do they finch at tight trousers,
even. They may shrug bit-as much
as the close fitting shoulder seams al
low-and then go 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 overblouses.
One-piece Bingham 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 it is promptly shipped to Russia
and other parts of Europe, at cents
a pound A whole family can be out
fitted with S1.00 transportation charge