Evening star., 1942-05-29
Correct Rule
To Follow
In Dress
Conventional Hour
For Evening Wear
Remains Same
BY Emily Post

By Emily Post
An interesting question is whether
a second hour OF daylight added to
the one already in effect should
change the O'Clock convention for
evening clothes to a later one? 1t is
true that it would bring 6 o'clock
in June almost to midafternoon,
judging by the sun. But it is also
true that since we have been at war,
fashions have naturally had trend
toward day clothes, which In great
measure makes the adjustment. In
other words, 6 O'Clock for evening
dress is still the correct rule to fol-
low-with modification made in the
informality of shirtwaist styles Of
evening dress.
Dear Mrs Post: My parents will
soon be married so years, and we
think this anniversary Is one to
celebrate. However, with the world
at war and many of our younger
relatives in the armed forces and
their whereabouts unknown, mother
and father think it unsuitable to
have the celebration we have been
talking about so long. And yet
while they do not wish us to send
out invitations, they would very
much like to be at home that after
noon to welcome any friends who
care to come to see them.
Will you tell us how not to invite
any one and yet TO invite every one
who cares about them-which means
every one they know. Will you also
tell me what to prof1er to the unex-
pected-yet eypected-guests?
Answer-Since I see by the post
mark that you live in fairly small
community, couldn't you stop in to
see your parents friends and neigh
bors and tell them just how they
feel about it? That it is not to be
a real party, but that your mother
and father would love to see all Of
their friends who care to stop in.
If people in your community are
tea drinkers, then think afternoon
tea will be the incest thing to serve,
but it is rather hard to make for
many people. A fruit punch prob
ably would be easier. Better still,
you might have both; some cakes
with orange icing would be particu-
larly suitable. But best of all, per-
haps, something in the way Of bread
or cake for which your mothers
kitchen is noted.
Dear Mrs. Post: Some time ago
I gave one of the incest luncheons
any one could go to. And yet, not
one thank-you note or telephone call
have l received! Am I wrong in
thinking these guests of mine dis
courteous? Do you make no protest
because everything today is taken
so much for granted?
Answer-UnIess the circumstances
are very unusual, especial thanks
for luncheons or dinners or other
not overnight invitations, are sell
dom called for unless one happens
to see ones hostess soon after. In
this case one tells her what q lovely
party it was and how much one
enjoyed it, but one wouldn't write it.
AS for telephoning next day, I
have had letters from certain COM
munities asking how to check this
well-meant courtesy Of friends who
kept the unhappy hostess all the
morning on the telephone to be
thanked for q party given the day or
evening before. have tried there
fore to protest against next-morning
telephone calls to a hostess who
does her own house work since no
matter how pleasant praise may be.
time lost is very upsetting to one
who is busy. If it is known that a
certain woman has neither house
nor children nor other demanding
occupations, then those who were her
guests would be thoughtful instead
Of thoughtless to telephone her.