The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-22
W00LEN MATERIALS

The constant need for everyday dresses demands a continued output of ideas, which must be stylish as Well as new. Many restrictions sur round the making of these dresses. They must conform to certain set and fast rules and there are only limited number of ways in which they can be smartened and made at tractive.
 A dress for general wear hastsure Fly got to be firm and substantial, as well as warm and simple. As 1t will have to be worn day after day, it cannot possibly be made according to any one silhouette, which Is fash ionable today and passe tomorrow. Besides, if it has any trick trimming or eccentric lines, which are all well and good for the dress which is worn now and then. one will quickly tire of them and come to dislike the gar ment. With all this in view, one readily sees what a serious problem the all-round frock really is.
 After realizing what one has got to combat in gaining a desirable effect in seryiceable way one is all set to know just what to avoid. The shops are usually well equipped with the right sort of things if We only take time to choose correctly and use all the practical sense and good taste We have. A girl can look as sweet and lovely in simple, tasteful day frock as she does in her most gor- geous evening gown if she only knows how to find the right thing for her peculiar type.
 O O O
 Learn From Foreign Women.
 As is so often remarked, there is something absolutely individual about each and every one, and the clothes to suit that particular char acter must be found in order that harmonious effect be gained. rms point cannot be too strongly empha- sized in speaking of clothes. Ihere has been too much uniformity in the garments worn by the present-day girl. and this sameness must be done away with if we as a nation wish to have correctly gowned women.
 We boast in many ways of our st. periority over the women Of other countries. while in reality we have much to learn from them. our crudeness and lack of sophisticat1on have been severely criticised, and 1t would be very beneficial to look into the matter and correct it. while learn ing the lessons other countries nave to offer.
 The working girl of this country usually tries to initiate her wealth fer sisters, and often fails in her well meant attempt, while her practical equal in other lands has certain charm and picturesqueness that IS independent of the influence of the richer classes. Not that l am sug- gesting brilliantly colored peasant costumes for our girls, but merely as an idea it seems a most appropriate example. The great opportunity Is still in the future when women think seriously of this problem and act ac- cordingly. The fact that our glrlS who spend most of their time work ing do try to give themselves charming appearance. even though in the wrong direction at times shows that they are most enthusl- astic in their outlook on the matter of clothes. If their ideas are dlrect- ed into the right channels, they Will go far. Their fundamental thoughts are correct, so merely a little change is needed.
 Materials Are Designed.
 Much interest has been centered on the creation of beautiful designed materials, showing new weayes ana patterns in the heavier Woolen stuffs. They remind one of the old fashioned woven bedspreads of our grandmothers in their intricate geo metrical designs. Not that thls comparison detracts from their ap-