Evening journal., 1922-11-22
Rebellion is rampant In Americal

!
while American women have establis
Rebellion IS rampant in Americal
Americas women have revolted
against Paris fashion dictates.
And in casting off their bondage
to the whims Of the French modiste,
American women are creating dis
tinctly American fashions.
These facts were obtained in ma
uonal survey made today by NEA
Service for The Evening Journal
Length OF skirts caused it all.
The long period OF freedom OF
the knees" was decreed ended by
Paris some time ago.
Furthermore, this long skirt re-
naissance was 10 be no halfway
measure, declared the French fash
ion czars. Clear 10 the ground
read the ukase.
The word was broadcasted
throughout America. The modistes
began designing them along
"streamline" specifications. The de-
partment stores put uhe long skirt
dresses and suits on display every
where and began to stock up for the
usual fsllsrush.
But the rush failed to materialize,
today's survey shows.
Used to he comfort OF free moSion
allowed by the short skirts. Amer
lean women, in the main, have re-
fused to don the clinging long-skirt-
ed Partisan creations.
A few bought them. Most women
didn't. Furthermore, they say they
won't, Paris or no Paris.
The fapper type. knowing IL will
pass out of favor with the lengthen-
ing OF the dresses. is certain TO fight
tooth and nail against any move
against the short skirt" declared one
fashion expert a few months ago.
Many Defy Paris DictatOrs.
That expert spoke advisedly. Not
only is the outspoken fapper aroused
to action, but practically all OF the
clubwomen. society women, edu.
Gators, professional women and wo-
men health authorities in the United
States are supporting her in refusing
to sanction Frances whms.
All over the land are signs OF in
surrection.
"Preposterous. "just plain ugly"
unhealthy" "silly''-are the declar-
ations OF American women concern
ing the French skirts.
The final result is that at the
period Of the year when the women
are usually garbed in accordance
with the newest mode. shops are still
stocked with extremely long gowns.
and women are wearing Just what
length OF skirt they please-and |
most OF them are short.
Out OF this chaos. however. comes
Americas first constructive individ-
ual style movement. For while |
American womanhood isn't going to
let Partisan atellers foist ludicrous
dresses on her. neither. apparently. /
is she going 10 let the youthful flap !
per he the arbiter OF the apparel |
question.
Seven inches from the ground
that is the skirt length the American |
de facto style dictators have decreed /
That's big come-down from the |
demands OF the happer. but the re- |
suit is a skirt that not only modihes |
the French styles but retains the /
freedom OF movement that was one
OF the greatest advantages OF the alb |
breviated dresses.
War Raging on West Coast.
The most active warfare over the !
French skirt Is raging in Los Angeles
It's beaches are bringing hocks OF the |
fashionable and wealthy in for the |
winter. They favor the shorter
skirts Between these and the movie |
stars-who must keep ahead OF the |
styles-the long-short skirt contro- |
versy is bound TO meet an acid test
this winter.
short dresses and their appro-
pirate complement give a semblance
OF youth, and aging women will be
loath to surrender this" declares one
California modiste who knows
human nature.
New York. however. sees a pEe-
dominance OF long skirts in the
smart restaurants, at the new revues
and wherever fashionable people
gather. They range from ankle
ength to five inches from the ground.
This, say Gothams designers. is the
reaction from the short skirt and
since it has been so we'll received
by New York. they believe the rest
of the country will follow suit.
Partisan importers in New York
bring first news OF French modlstes'
surrender to Yankee resentment.
Already. shorter skirts are being
shown on the Paris boulevards. and
the importers whisper confdentially
that the long skirt is a temporary
matter, to be replaced soon by
conservative length. This is consid-
cred a victory for American woman
hood.
Generally throughout the south,