Evening star., 1941-10-24

staff, is now making her home in w
here is, we suspect. going to make
her one of the towns most valuable
additions. You see, Mrs. Perkins
lived in Paris for Is years, and she
ACQUIRED a Well-deServed reputation
as one of the foremost fashion edi-
tors. She's been a prominent figure
in New York, too, and now, ladies'
she's in our midst, making keen
observations on the style picture
in Washington.
Mrs. Perkins believes that Wash
ington has much of the atmosphere
of Paris, in that it is a city of we'll
dressed women seen in the right"
places. OF course, it is is not to be
compared to Paris from the point
of creativeneSs in fashions, for very
little of that is to be found in Wash
ingtop, but it's similar in its love
of dress and in its many beautifully
groomed women, not only in the
diplomatic and other "sets," but also
In the ranks of the business girls.
Best of all, Mrs. Perkins believes,
Is the consciousness of fashion
which Is evident here. Not only
the woman who is well known
socially, but also the girl with a
limited budget is able to select
clothes which look smart and new
and fashionwise. Matter of fact,
this expert believes that the pro-
duction of moderately priced clothes
Is one of Americas most amazing
features. She'll tell you how the
English and French department
stores used to import all the S595
dresses they could get-because
women adore them for their style
and low cost. Such good fashion
in mass production" says Mrs.
Perkins, lis one of the things that
makes this true democracy"
1t was interesting to watch all
the fashion writer's and radio girls
perk up their ears at Mrs. Perkins
comments on Washington women's
style sense. Her idea is that this
is the most important capital of
the world and a proving ground for
new fashions, now that there are
so many women of all types and in
comes making their homes in Wash
ington. It's something to think
about, all right, and Mrs. Perkins
Is enthusiastic about the possibili-
ties. So, in fact, are we.
Speaking of new arrivals with
smart ideas, We met Hanna Sher-
man the other day. Now, Miss
Sherman is well known as a style
consultant and has done such in
teresting things as conducting a
clinic to help unemployed girls dress
correctly to find jobs. The thing
that interests us, however, is the
way Miss Sherman has worked out
this dressing on budget" business.
At a tea given by the Ladies
Auxiliary of the Washington News
paper Guild, she made the interest
ing (and almost unheard-of) OBJ
servation that it's unwise to buy
everything in one price range. For
example, If you wear a S12 dress
and a $40 hat, what innocent by
stander would mark you as a girl
who buys only budget clothes? Good
quality clothes wear several seasons.
too, so the ultimate cost is not
too staggering. Adaptable styles
are a natural for the girl with limited
income, says Miss Sherman. Buy
q dress that can be changed with
accessories-one that has applied
trimming" (applied by yoW. Make
use Of interesting items such as
and effective little
"mad-caps" in all colors, or change
o hat by attaching various snoods
70 match your costumes.
Don't go haywire over high styles
and exotic things, but don't be
afraid Of new fashions at the be-
ginning Of the season. Many girls
are too conservative, fearing that
a style will be just a momentary
fad, with the result that all the
clothes they buy look just like those
they had last season. And finally,
IN choosing those accessories which
Miss Sherman thinks are so i'm
portant, see that they are keyed
to your size. That's rule No. /.