Evening star., 1942-12-13

feminine Christmas presents this
year should also rule your choice
Of gifts for the stronger sex. In
fact. more so. This Is not the
year to load the recipient with
useless, ridiculous gifts, partic-
ularly expensive ones OF that
variety. 1t is the year to choose
gifts with a purpose.
Don't misunderstood us. We'd
hate q Christmas composed en-
tirely of utilitarian and deadly
dull offerings. But in these days
1t stands to reason that q new
way Of living means a change in
our needs, and men, in particu-
lar, want something useful as
we'll as something they really like.
Weeks ago we talked about
gifts for servicemen and most
packages have gone of long ago
to the boys in our armed forces.
cat least, they should have0 So,
today let's concentrate on the
civilian population.
The old favorites such as shirts,
ties, socks, handkerchiefs, warm
robes, sweaters and such are
more In demand than ever.
Father is going to live in that
fuel-rationed house this winter,
too, so it's splendid idea to con-
centrate on warm garments for
at-home wear. Wool robes, par
ticularly smart in bright colors
and plaids, are available, as are
heavy lounging jackets in wool,
corduroy and flannel. The latter
material makes some of the new
est and most comfortable pa
jamas, too, ranking with the
balbriggan or knitted type. Flan-
mel skirts to wear around the
house, or use for country week
ends, are excellent, in bright COL
ors, pastels and plaids or checks.
And look at those vests with
zippered "humidor pocket" oil
skin lined to take care OF pipe
tobacco.
Wool socks in plaids that you
can hear for a mile" are all over
the place. as are the usual styles
with elastic tops that really stay
up. Wool scarf and cap sets for
the "outdoorsy" man are being
featured, and sweaters OF the
sleeveless slip-over or jacket type
are excellent suggestions. Lined
gloves and slippers are welcome
accessories for any man this
year.
In general, the war is chang
ing the at-home picture OF mems
clothes. More casual attire is the
order of the day for those men in
factory areas where hours are
likely to be odd. In town, and this
applies to the greater majority Of
men in these parts, business
clothes are more conservative
than ever. For the most part,
men are buying simple, Well-cut
suits and Frightening them with
colored ties and harmonizlng
shirts. Body, with extra warmth
and extra wear, is the story In
shirts and ties-with heavier silks
and woods replacing, in many
cases, the foulards which fire.
auently are too light in appear
ance with new winter shirts.
Stripes, you may be pleased to
learn, are in good favor, especial
ly with tweeds. One shop in town
is showing ties with small pat
terms taken from famous places.
To be more explicit, one is COM
posed of art conceptions from the
Cathedral of Rheims. another de-
rives inspiration from the Tai
Mahal and a third has a motif
drawn from Chinese symbols.
Fortunately, all are subtly and
we'll done, although the origin is
evident.
Other practical and very new
items include heavy coats for air.
raid Wardens or other men who
spend much time out of doors in
the cold and rain. Warm, lined
coats of corduroy or processed
cottons may button high around
the neck, and some even have
hoods.
A favorite with most men. al
though some are reluctant to
admit it, are toiletries designed
especially for them. Hearty,
masculine items include after
shave lotions. colognes, tale, de-
odorants and huge cakes of soap.
Many of them are in sets, while
others are sold singly and pro-
vide one answer to the problem
of what to put in his stocking.
In addition to the usual array
of fitted kits, military brushes.
comb-and-file combinations and
shaving equipment, you'll dis
cover such distinctly masculine
offerings as a "decoy" shaving
bowl filled with excellent shaving