Evening star., 1933-05-21
Wardrobe Should Be Made
Suitable to Age of Wearer

freshness of youth. This Is her greatest
charm. and the proper clothes for her
will emphasize and preserve that fleet
ing loveliness. The mother, on the
other hand. has sophistication and
poise. Her clcthec, youthful although
they may be- should suggest these
qualities. For her to wear the simple
girlish frocks of her daughter would
be absurd; yet it would be equally
absurd for the young girl to adopt the
sophisticated garments Of the older
woman. I often see both these mis-
takes made.
Young girls, failing to realize what
- priceless possession their youthful
charm is, will adopt clothes that make
them look older and more worldly.
They do not appreciate the rare gift
which is theirs,N so they choose cos
tunes which destroy it.; whereas. a
costume suitable to their years and
beauty would enhance their character
Pirls costume Is in white organdy. This
frock. cut en- extremely simple lines,
is trimmed by lovely cluster of pale
green flowers at the waistline. En-
circling the skirt, and the modest
square decclletage are flowers Of white
organdy. Such a costume could be
worn only by very young girl. On
an older woman 1t would be simply abb
surd. But on a girl Of debutante age
the frock is as fresh and lovely as the
wearer herself. 1t Is perfectly suited
to her, so 1t is smart and flattering.
Its very simplicity calls greater at
tention to her natural charm,
1t is said that the first patron Of the
famous Lady Hamilton, when she was
girl of 16, taught her the art of dress
He insisted that her gowns should be
OF the utmost simplicity, that she should
wear neither powder nor rouge BY
this clever device, this dazzlingly beauti-
appeared In rich costume, with heavy
makeup. 1t is trick that any young
girl might well learn:
The older woman, on the other hand
must learn for her part to express her
own qualities in her costumes. She
has dignity, poise. sophistication. These
should be indicated in her dressing. The
note that Is too daring for the young
girl may be most acceptable in her
costumes. The hat or gown that spells
extreme sophistication is denied the
young girl, but she may choose it with
perfect assurance.
7 BELIEVE one of the most difficult
= lessons women have to learn Is tc
alter their style of dressing as the years
pass. The problem is made more diffi-
cult now that, by exercise and activity
women have learned to keep their bodies
slender and their minds young. Never
theless, the woman who would be chic
must make this difference in her cos
cl. all
through study and thought, learn what
Is suitable and smart at her age
Older women. find, frequently know
how to dress smartly. They have dis
covered what makes for distinction In
their wardrobes, and they plan theil
costumes to that end. It Is the woman
just entering middle age who oftenest
makes mistake, I find. She is not old
yet she is no longer young. Her prob
lem seems a dificult one. She may
find many youthful styles as becoming
to her as they ever were. and as suit
able Her greatest problem Is one oi
color For as we grow older our owr
coloring changes. At 40 1t is less fresh
and clear than 1t was at 20. That
means that costumes must be chosen
to harmonize with ones present color.
ing, not with the coloring of a dozer
years ago. think women often forget
that The fact that a woman once
wore pale blue successfully Is not sure
sign that she can wear it now Wher
she wore blue at l6. her eyes were
brighter. her skin clearer. At IS or AZ
her skin is likely to be less fresh, hel
eyes duller. The same clear color will
not be becoming. She must choose
another hue harmonious with her owr
coloring.
The middle-aged French woman 1.
| almost always chic. The reason, / be.
lieve, is this: She values chic above
prettiness. 1t is not a matter of great
concern to her that she does not lool
pretty. Prettiness she comedies Il
youth. But she is tremendously con.
cerned that she shall look chic. Con.
sequently, she bends every effort ir
that direction. She doesn't regret he
lost youth, for she is aware that shl
has something that youth has not. Shi
dresses to bring out her own charm
with the result that in France the elusive
term chic is more often applied to I
mature woman than to Q young girl.
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