The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-11-05
Too Camps
Collide OUer
Ne70 Styles
BY JULIA BLANSHARD
MA Service Writer

NEW YORK, Nov. 5.-Paris ex-
claims admiringly over the graceful
curves of the new long-skirted sill
houette. But America has discov-
cred that the new styles have more
angles than curves!
II took Americans some time to
realize that a radical change in
woman's dress had taken place and
that new models, arriving from the
other side, might have more than
a style effect on this country.
Opinions fill the air. There is
no apathetic middle ground. Long
skirts, some notables declare, are
likely to affect everything in Amer
ica-frOm morals to the English
language. Artists, doctors, preach
ers, movie queens, musicians, coutu-
riers, labor experts and college deans
all join the verbal fray.
All Views Differ
Each views the change in styles,
naturally. from his particular angle
Of life. Women's clubs are discuss
ing a possible stand. Long skirts
may be that cause" for which blase
America has been waiting!
The first concerted action against
the new long skirts comes from the
New York Y. w. c. A. This or
ganization terms them "unsuited to
the busy life of today, Incompatible
with the pursuits of the American
woman"
Mary Garden is militant. Let
other drag their skirts on the
ground. if they will. But not l."
Lady Mendl elsie de Woife)
famous of the best-dressed woman
of two continents. put her veto on
trailing draperies after experiment.
ing with them.
In Bad Taste
"A few inches below the knee is
a lovely, graceful length" is her
opinion. Long daytime things are
bad taste. out of place for street
wear. Longer skirts for evening are
charming. provided they are short
in front
Dean Virginia Gildersleeve of Bar
nard college is more emphatic.
They are unhygienic. They get
soiled, splattered and bedraggled,
she declared. They mean restraint
less freedom of physical action, less
exercise and consequently poorer
health in an era when women are
becoming as athletic and healthy as
men"
Charles Dana Gibson, creator of
the Gibson Girl" lines up on the
other side, approving long skirts as
artistic, feminine, a return to the
womanly woman" He feels it is
natural cycle that gives women back
the grace of yesteryear, that they
are an -esthetic triumph.
Grand. Says Artist
Neysa McMein, highest paid wom-
an artist in the United States,
thinks long skirts grand"
They make a woman look entire
" different from last year, give her
a variety appeal, endow her with
a changed character" Miss McMein
stated.
DR.. JOnn b. watson, DenaVlOIlSl
psychologist, has two objections to
short skirts. First, they have less
sex appeal. Second, they may in
crease accidents.
Gloria Swanson, who wore lonG
skirts when all the world wore short |
feels a personal triumph in the new
modes. 81
They are enchanting. They en-
dow women with glamor and rO-
nance They make individuality
possible"
Rudy Likes EN- Tight
Rudy VaIlee. grooming idol of
ladies old and young. likes skirts
long and what is more, he likes
them tight;
I Ike form-fltting gowns. tho2c
that seem to be eli of one piece AMI
sort of wind around,
IF a woman has a beautiful fig
use she should how it. The new
clothes make women look digni-
fed and graceful. Perhaps they do
make them look older. But I like
that. I never was interested in the
f1appers."