The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-13
Women Not
GrozCing old.
So Rapidly.
BY MARTHA LEE.

For ever so long, since the war,
to be exact. youth has been trium-
plant. "All for Youth, and Youth
for All" has been the battle CRY
that rocked the coast Of Maine to
the Golden Gate and Canada to
the Gulf Of Mexico.
And that cry has caused a lot Of
suffering in feminine circles. 1t is
inherently feminine to get a little
gritty" around 40. II is natural
for the face to age, the figure to
sag and the hair to fade.
In pre-war' days, that was al
lowed. If woman wanted to grow
old. let her. If she didn't want to,
We made her anyway. So there are
consultations and there are retribu-
tons to be derived from this fair
for youth.
With the advent Of the war came
bobbed hair, short skirts and other
outward signs of emancipation for
women. And right there was where
the middle aged mammas had to
start rejuvenating. No more gray
ing hair, done in knots atop the
head.
Every Detail Watched
No more allowing the figure to
balloon at leisure. With the short
skirts. every little detail had to be
watched. A matronly figure was a
total loss in one of those be-pleated
be-swirling skirts that look so well
on a sleek bOyish figure.
It's been a hard ten years for
women who were not naturally slen-
der. naturally cute" and coy.
But some wise soul, with a knowl-
edge of the behavior of the pen
dulum Of feminine tastes has taken
advantage Of the fact that women
tire of anything if they are given
enough time to do 50.
And so the skirts have become
long. They are hiding matronly
legs, even ankles if one wishes. They
are designing gowns that make
women appear dignified and maton-
ly and grOWn-up.
The tightly marcelled and curled
heads, that we're clipped to fare
We well" are gone. In their places
are sleek. well-behaved, conven-
tional hobs or long hair. certainly
both styles flattering TO the 40-year-
old woman for the first time in ever
so long.
MatrOnIy Not Disgrace
In other words, it no longer is a
disgrace to appear in public grown
up. mature and matronly.
1t still might be necessary to
squeeze into a corset, but the effect,
after the outer apparel is donned,
is less like a bean bag tied in the
middle and more like a female
figure given to a few undulating
curves which any woman past 40
has a right to indulge in, mildly.
The battle cry has changed.
Everything's all to the "demure and
womanly" now.
A woman dare not sink into mid
die aged oblivion as she once did.
That is one of the blessings of this
revival Of youth" business. She
must not be old at 45. She can
have gray hair, because gray hair
is very chic with the right atten-
ton and the proper clothes. She
has learned to watch the wrinkles
so that those are minor worries.
She has gone through a sort of
inquisition. And if she passes the
trials well. she is such an improve
ment over youth that now, that
styles allow her to look attractive
oS well as be attractive, there's no
comparison between the compan-
ionship she can offer and the COM
partnership of youth.
She no longer is the aper. Hence
forth youth will follow her. And
she will teach youth as valuable
things as youth ever taught her,
which is as it should be.