Evening star., 1940-05-15
BY HELEN vOGT.

Having never been partial to hit
ting ourself on the head with .
hammer because 1t felt so good
when we stopped, this fashion de-
partment doesn't usually go around
digging up trouble. If trouble wants
to hnd US, all 1t has to do is look
under the desk-and usually does.
However, this time we've decided
that the best defense is an offense,
and we're going to put our fears
about shorter skirts, lower waist
lines and street-length evening
gowns right out in the open where
We can throw stones at them.
You see, we can remember 1926
al too vividly. Only IA years ago
The Star carried ads for gun metal
hose with black pointed heels at
the exceptionally low price of $l.59
. pair, fashion story had the
headline, "Pajamas and Shorts Now
Worn by Girls" and those shape
less, baggy dresses with short skirts
and low waistlines were the order
of the day. We can still see, when
we eat before going to bed, those
deep, crowned hats with fioppy
brims, and the dress silhouette,
which had all the charm of . tired
potato sack tied slightly below the
middle.
So its no wonder that when dis
patches from the midseason Paris
openings 30 much Is mention q
dinner gown with rdecollette bodice
and street-length skirt, this de-
partment chews its fingers up to the
second joint and pleads, mot that!
Anything but that!" Now we don't
say that these reports are anything
but faint and far apart, but its true
that the couturiers are stressing
lower waistlines and supple bodices.
Right now, it's merely an indica-
ton; later 1t could be . reality.
And while we don't want to 60
around making q noise like q
scaredy-cat, frankly, we don't like
1t.
To be perfectly honest, we really
don't think that there's q great
chance Of this recurrence and have
four definite rays Of sunshine in the
form Of reasons. First, woman love
long dresses and never feel as for
mally dressed" in street-length
costumes, even though they are OF
the evening type. Second, men
don't like shorter evening clothes
and their opinion carries q great
deal Of weight. The third and
fourth reasons are the use OF zip
pers and lastex, respectively. These
marvellous aids, which weren't pres
ent In 26, should Danish any fear
Of shapeless, unattractive clothes,
even though they have nothing to
do with the length.
Wars always have an effect upon
fashions, even In the countries not
involved, and We can only hope that
the one now in progress won't turn
to stressing stark simplicity, though
even that Is now evident in the fire.
quent talk Of much shorter coinures
and other functional modes. But
Just let Paris definitely threaten
short evening styles and this min
ute portion Of the feminine popula-
ton viii flght to the bitter end.
Those In favor are going to re-
mind US that even II these trends
were to be presented, fashion has
progressed to such degree that the
variations would never be recogniz-
able. They are going to say, II Paris
presents and American buyers ap-
prove these fashions, that they will
be well done and extremely smart,
not resembling their ancestors. BE
that as 1t may, show us the time
when we won't recognize q street.
length dinner gown In any form,
and well hand you the typewriter,
rubber keys and all, and take our
self and our black silk dress over to
the Home for Old Brpken-Down
Fashion Writers.
# you don't have to limit your
reminiscing to the family album,
it would be fun to see the exhibit
now being held In New York. It
spans 80 years Of fashion from
1877 to 1910 and IS being presented
by Les Coils de Trianon- Versailles
In which the Duchess OF Windsor Is
interested. Offered In America
through Mrs. Harrison williams,
the collection includes couturier
dresses which represent the finest
typs ef each ere.