Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-08
Rational Summer
Costume for Men
To the Editor of The Star:


In reference to the views expressed
by Miss Ruth OBrien, Mr.. j. F. Vic
tory and Mrs. M. L. Turner in letters
of recent date to the editor of The Star,
let me. a mere man." contribute his
share by saying that I heartily agree
with practically all of what they say
in the matter of dress reform for mer.
agree with Miss OBrien that short
trousers to reach to the top OF the
knee are best. but as MI. Victory so
aptly states. she has failed to deal with
the very inartistic appearance OF man
lower extremities. although at that l
agree with Mrs. Turner in saying That
very few girls have knees that can
truthfully be called pretty, but l am
not advocating that they wear longer
dresses. Personally. I don't think that
mems knees are any worse looking than
| womens for that matter. AS for the
' rest of mans limbs, the answer Is 10
wear socks or stockings that reach to
point just below the knee. Some oil the So
called golf hose being worn would answer
the above purpose very nicely until
some of thinner material become avail
able, although some of them are rather
thin at that Most Of these hose turn
over at the top for an inch or so, and
thus a rubber garter OF some sort could
be worn underneath this turned-oVer
part to support them.
In the matter of shirts, I think Mrs.
Turner has the right idea, except that
/ believe that we can do without the
"bias binding" on the neck and sleeves
for the present But let us have light
colored and lightweight materials in
| them with elbow-length sleeves and
small lay-down collars that can be worn
with or without tie. loosely tied.
The matter of shoes is relatively I'M
| important for the present, as also Is
the matter of hats. Why wear any hat
at all? But If you must, 1 think some
sort of soft straw hat is best, or even
sun helmet. for that matter as worn
! in the tropics.
On the subject of starting something,
7 know that there are a lot Of women
who insist on their husbands or other
menfolk wearing the extremely hot con-
ventional clothing, while they them
/ selves wear very little. They think 1t
| is terribly unconventional and i'll
| hammered II their men should go to q
show or dance without wearing all these
| things And while we are on this sub
| iect, don't forget that some of the best
shows and other places will refuse you
| entrance unless you have coat and
other conventional clothing on. Some
thing certainly ought to be done about
this, which is discriminating and very
| unconstitutional. I for one have sew
| eral times made excuses to my wife for
not going out with her because 1t
meant putting on a collar, tie and coat,
! which is sometimes almost Undesirable.
! On the other hand, there are women
| who agree that men should wear a
| cooler sort of clothing, but don't want
| their own menfolks to be the one to
start wearing it. No doubt, too, there
are millions of men-and single ones,
| too-who would like very much to wear
cooler sort of clothing. but who lack
the nerve to be one of the first TO
! start ito be pioneers. in other words
| They haven't got the spirit OF our an
| cestors. But unless we want to be
slaves the rest Of our lives some one
will have to start 1t and endure the
vulgar stares OF the rabble. Let the
! fact console you that half of the stares
| from the men will be enviouS.
In conclusion, let me state that !
| have worn clothing of the sort that
advocate in various parts of the world
and not entirely in the tropics either
30 that I am not suggesting it for every
! body except myself now. I am willing
| to wear It, and I am not so sure that
| I will wait for others to start it or GO
with me, my wife's desires to the con-
trary Notwithstanding.