The Washington times., 1936-03-31
NOW
What FOreign
Enjoys Wear
BRIGHT BRAID
By HELEN ESSARY

over for week. Everywhere I've
gone since I was first told to
write on this amazing theme-to
cocktail parties. to gasoline filling
stations, to dinners, to chain
groceries, to mass on Sunday, to
night clubs-I've looked earnestly
for diplomats.
On seeing a gentleman of this
pleasant species, I've at once fixed
him with a cold, appraising eye
and mentally, only mentally, have
asked him:
''what do you, q diplomat.
wear?"
Clothes, the answer is obviously.
Coat. trousers, vest, shirt, socks,
Ghoes and a tie.
Such agreeable if somewhat uni!
form equipment, is not unlike the
clothes of any gentleman Of
proper vanity and modeSty. Prac-
tical, adequate but unexciting.
Generally restrained in color
and cut, the garments Of diplo-
macy suit the dignity Of a repre-
sentative of a foreign power. Worn
well (but never well worm crisp
and fresh as to linen, sometimes
iaunty as to tie, always shining
as to shoes, they show the dis
erection and good taste of their
WearerS.
On state occasions, however, the
garments of diplomacy are gor-
geouS. It is then that these
gentlemen, resplendent in gold
lace, feathers, bright saShes. chest
ribbons and decorations, show how
beautiful the superior male can be
Il given half a chance.
American simplicity Is pretty
dull compared with such foreign
outbursts. The Secretary of State.
Cordell Hull, however, despite the
limitations of the masculine
American styles for formal occas-
ions, manages always to be the
handSomeSt man present.
Most Of the foreign diplomats
are good looking. Many Of them
are tall. Long legs are probably
q requirement of some foreign Of
fices. Heaven knows the British
Ambassador, Sir Ronald Lindsay,
Is as large as the Spanish Armada.
His good dressing is casual as one
expects of a Britisher. He wears
his morning tweeds, his striped
trousers and tail coat, his "black
or white tie" with unconcern.
Even in his cooked hat and the
acre of gold embroidery that be-
long to the uniform Of a British
diplomat, Sir Ronald manages to
Subdue his own personality.
Most of the foreigners have
this knack with their own uni
forms. It is probably the result
Of straight backs and self con-
fidence. The result is that you see
the man beyond the trimming.
That little trifle Of coStuming, a
clanking sword, falls into an easy
place above a braided trouSer.
A diplomatic ceremony at the
White House, comnlemoration of
the death or the celebration OF a
happy event of foreign ruler or
monarch at the Cathedral, Cath
olic University or Georgetown, are
WaShington'S most dramatic spec
tacles.
Now to a few Of the individual
diplomats. There's Charles A.
Davila, the Roumanian Minister,
the butterfly of the corps and one
Of its most carefully dressed men,
berS. The width Of the stripe
In his trousers quite likely sets
the style for Bond Street. The
Portuguese Minister, Antonio de
Bianchi is always well turned out.
Sometimes at afternoon parties, he
wears checked trousers with his
morning coat, Incidentally why is
. morning coat only worn nova
days in the afternoon? M. Bian-
chi'S ties are part Of a careful
color scheme. The lapels Of his
coat are Of the newest and smart
est width and the pleats in his
trousers are of the proper number
and fullneSS.
M. de Laboulaye, the French
Ambassador, is one Of the most
distinguished looking men in the
corps. I can't remember the de-
tails of his appearance, but I am
always aware when I see him Of
extremely good tailoring and of
Q special freshness in his linen.
Mr.. Michael MacWhite, the de-
lightful Minister Of the Irish
Free State, often wears black. On
"white-tie occasions" which come
very frequently in q diplomats
life, I notice that his tie is a
triumph of perfect control.
Augusta Rosso, the Italian AM
.bassador, and Felipe Espil, the
Argentine Ambassador, are not
unlike in appearance. They have
the look always Of having just
stepped from a shower and a
InaSseur into garments tailored
probably on Olympus.
# you pass along Massachusetts,
Avenue where signs in front Of
big houses say mo parking at
any time" you are likely to see
the handsome Austrian Minister,
Edgar Prochnik, out walking in
q gray tweed. The Finnish Min
lister, Mr.. Jarnefelt, also affects
Springtime gray.
Another handsome foreign rep
resentative always well groomed
1s ToIa,a DnIaTavi tho H1InUorioTa