Evening star., 1940-07-17
By HELEN VOGT.

This, to coin a phrase, is only the
beginning. It's the start of the fur
season and embraces the next sew
eral months in which papa will go
into debt and mama into mink.
Although we have long been used
to the fur sales in August, it's some-
thing Of shock to find them going
like mad in the first part of July.
However, since it's well established
fact that excellent bargains in winter
furs are to be found in the summer,
there's every reason to believe that
women are anxious to get under way.
1t also stands to reason that by pur-
chasing early you'll have that coat
just about paid for by the time you
start to wear it. So don't let the
tropical atmosphere get you down;
rush into one of the comfortable
stores and spend an hour or two
pretending you're off for your
Christmas shopping.
Evidently there is a feeling for the
classic furs more than for those
extreme and unusual types so often
presented. All of your old favorites
from mink to mink blended musk
rat are on deck, and there isn't a
fur within reason that is not repre-
sented. Clever dying processes have
made some of the least expensive
coats look like their aristocratic
cousins, and you will find all the
new styles definitely created with
an eye to fashion interest as we'll as
warmth and comfort.
Particularly outstanding this sea-
son is the treatment in the way of
yokes, pleats, fullness and nipped in
waistlines. All of these interesting
angles tend to give dash and smart
ness to furs, and since shirring is
possible in furs now, it's no wonder
that women are almost as interested
in the styling as they are in the
fur itself. Scarlet O'Hara" waist
lines give the figure a young, hatter-
ing appearance. Flaring or belted
backs are seen often and in the most
dressy furs, too. Sleeves tend to be
full, with the mandarin, bell, balloon
and other billowing types very much
in the news. Some of the balloon
sleeves can even be pushed up for
a different effect If desired. The
skins are often swirled or otherwise
placed with a new and different
feeling that is delightful.
Collars tend toward the small
variety and are worked charmingly
and with phenomenal success. Many
OF them turn over in a tunnel
effect, while others tie or button
onto the front. Revers are noted on
some of the coats and are done
subtly and well.
We've been taking in the fur
shows around town and finding
them everything that could be de-
sired. Hecht's showed their Holly
wood designed creations the other
day, particularly stressing the new
features in such grey furs as kid
skin, Persian lamb and others.
Brown, too. promises to be a good
bet for the coming season. Raccoon
in a new form also appeared and
may make comeback, especially
with the campus crowd, for it is
better worked and less bulky than
before.
At the Shoreham, Erlebacher's
showing of 20 beautiful coats was a
further aid to our fur education
this season. Outstanding were the
balloon sleeves, yokes, pleats and
other touches. Creating particular
attention were the evening furs,
rich ermines and all the other
mouth-watering pelts that can't be
surpassed. Furs. as displayed here,
take on a new significance and beauty
and show the designers progress
that becomes ever more amazing.
It's going to be a wonderful year for
furs, we think, because they have q
distinction and originality that can't
b overlooked