The Washington times., 1931-04-29
Big Interest
In Fashion
Census

Eight Washington Times
Style Reporters Check Up
on What the Well Dressed
Woman Wears
Washington Times fashion
reporters counted l7,435 women
yesterday in the nationwide
fashion census. now being con-
Quoted in this city oy the
fashion department of The
Times, and in other cities by
newspapers under direction OF
Amos Parrish. Eight reporters
were stationed at strategic
points in different sections so
that the count would be typical
of all Washingtonians.
Coats for Spring
Interest centered in coats,
and although the day was cold
and windy. more than half the
women counted had on new
spring coats. They were
checked for all important fea.
lures, type, color, closing, and.
for belts.
The findings are interesting,
and valuable to all women who
want to be in fashion. AS re-
ported so many times in The
Times fashion columns, the
scarf collar was the most
popular, appearing on 3S per
cent of all the coats checked.
A close follower was the coat
with reverS. which includes the
smart coachman'S coat, and the
coat with a narrow collar in
the back that extends into
front revers. Next in popularity
was the collarlesS type. which
proves Washington women are
up on their fashions, for this
Is the newest of all. Shawl
and cape collars made up the
remainder. with a few others
hard to classify.
Many Wear Black
It was not surprising to find
black the leading color. worn by
more than fourth of all wom-
en- who passed in the review
Blue and tWeeds tied for sec
ond place. and brown came
third. Then in order came beige.
green and red. More than half
the women wore belts. which is
remarkable considering the num-
of winter coats included, and
almost twice as many coats had
the .Vionnet wrap-around clos
ing, as appeared with any other
line of closing.
Straw Hats p nular
The women wore their new
hats. And straws were so far
i11 the lead that they are def
nitely established as favorites
here, Despite the fact that some
of the smartest hats were Of the
new rough straws. fine weaves
numbered almost so per cent.
Next came felts, reaching total
of 20 per cent. Then came the
rough straws, and after that,
many hats of straws in combina-
tion with other materials. A good
many fabrics hats were noted
also. Medium brims held the
day, with manipulated brims
and soft turbans contending for
next place. Vatican hats took
fourth place. AS might be ex-
pected, black wa first with
blue next, and brown, green and
red followed. A sprinkling of
white hats were out.
Checkup of Handbags
Handbags were rather hard
to tabulate, as most Washing
ton women hold them tucked
tightly under their arms. out
a count of several thousand,
showed envelopes and pouches
just about even in the race. FIJI
velopes were just l per cent
ahead of pouches. Again black
easily led in color, and brown
followed. Beige and blue tied
for next place, with green next,
then red. Calf was by far the
favorite, making three-fourths
of all the bags, with patent
leather second, fulfilling the
prophecy that it will increase
in favor as the s>Nson advances.
Then came faL icS, another
coming summer vogue, and 4ep-
tiles. Suede bags were con-
spicuous by being absent.
81 Today and tomorrow the re-
porters are checking dresses, as
we'll as fashions for men.