Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-13
BY MARY MARSHALL.

r AIDES Of our Civil War era whc
did their own housework had tt
park their hoops in the pantry
so that they might be presentable
at a moments notice in case the
front door knocker sounded. You
couldn't possibly get down on your
knockers and scrub the kitchen floor
with your hoops on, and dish washing
and cooking were more easily accom-
plished when you didn't have to keep
respectful distance from the SaiA Vi
the stove.
Bust!es of the early eighties must
have been something of a nuisance to
the woman who did her own work, and
the long skirts were usually turned up
and pinned at the back before the apron
was put on.
Always In the past when woman
has dressed appropriately for the house
wifely tasks she has had to make GER
tain compromises with fashion. The
fashionable silhouette has not been con-
sidered i'll connection with Its suitability
for the housewife.
All this has changed. But don't
imagine that the change has come be-
cause of any direct effort of the dress
makers or even the housewives them
selves to recognize the needs of the
woman who must do q part at least of
her own work. Fashion never has been
the least bit interested in dishwashing,
or busting, or scrubbing, and when
woman'S fancies turn to thoughts OF
new clothes she is glad enough to leave
out of her mind any consideration OF
such things.
Fashion simply doesn't acknowledge
the fact that women who are to wear
smart clothes ever have to concern
themselves with such humdrum mat
tiers. But she does recognize the fact
that women play golf and tennis, that
they drive their own cars and some
times sit in the rumble seat of some
one elseS car. And in providing a type
of costume that will answer the pur-
pose for women's varied sports activi-
ties she has inadvertently also provided
something that does very nicely for
dishwashing and busting and sweeping
as well So similar, in fact, are the
demands of the frock that you might
wear for playing tennis and the one
that you might wear for work at home.
that it is sometimes difficult to tell one
from the other.
Here is an everyday ensemble for
The housewife which is presented with
much enthusiasm.
1t consists of a one-piece sleeve
less frock made with skirt short and
full enough to permit perfect freedom,
made of linen, cotton or washable silk.
Any tennis type of frock will answer
the purpose admirably. To match the
frock or to harmonic with it there is
a coat or jacket with long sleeves. This
may be full length seven eighthS, three
quarters, finger tip or shorter. The
shops at present are showing charming
little jacket or coat frock costumes
of this sort that greatly increase the
usefulness of the sleeveless frock. Add
to this rather closely fitted smock or
Hoover apron, made preferably with
elbow-length sleeves in any durable
wash material-and you are all ready
for any emergency.
This type of ensemble has been found
most satisfactory. The advantage Of
the little coat or jacket is this: You
wear your sleeveless frock with overall
apron in the kitchen or when actively
engaged in household duties and then
when you take it of. at meal time. to
meet a caller or for a period of rest
or recreation, you are very apt to feel
too lightly clad. 1t is such a simple
matter to keep the little accessory coat
or jacket hanging on hanger in the
pantry where you may quickly slip 1t
on when you take off the apron or slip !