The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-05-25
War Brides LOUe America
 But Worry About Home
By BETTY BLANCHARD

By BETTY BLANCHARD
 Twenty-Five pretty. young war brides, from England, France, Italy, and Australia, honor guests at c tea given yesterday by the Waterbury chapter of the American Red Cross, declared in unison that America was a wonderful place and that they had been received most cordially in their adopted country.
 But beneath their quick smiles and unqueStionable sincerity could be discerned a little more than Q tinge of homesiclIness and also . very strong concern for the peoples they left behind in their war-de- vastated countries.
 Dressed in new American clothes and coiffed in the very latest man. ner, the foreign-born wives of Am- erican GI's made a very pretty pie ture, as they chatted antmatedly with their compatriots about the latest news from home and Amer ican manners and methods.
 The brides from la belle France spirited, vivacious, loquaciouS, fun loving - comprised the gayest group. Their laughter rang out through the spacious reception room as they compared notes in their native tongue.
 The How Of Fashions
 Three animated ParisienneS spoke English well, but with . marked accent and many gestures.
 America was veree, veree nice, and also bee-u-ti-ful", they agreed all talking at once.
 "Ah, but veree different, said a black-eyed teen-age girl, dressed in a smart beige suit with black velvet collar. She hailed from Paris and so did the ensemble.
 Do we differ in many ways?"
 Well, now? I was thinking par ticularly of your fashion" It was clear American fashion had not met with full approval. The group shot a significant look in the speakers direction.
 of course, I can understand why zey do not match our fashion" 1" She said sincerely. You people have for years copied from the French, During the war, you couldn't copy. So what happens? So you are five years late. Of course you have some new details and they are veree nice. But on the whole, they are not veree good"
 The other girls appeared dis turbed because of their compatriot's franknesS. Assurance were given that the American woman would en- joy hearing how she could emulate her French sisters, so the black eyed Parisienne went on without further prodding.
 You understand I do not mean to be offensive. It is merely that understand why French women are considered so smart. In America you turn out fashion in factories. Yes, mass production. That's it. Not so in Paris. Mon, non, never"
 There you go to a dressmaker with a sketch. You say See that what want. And what happens? You have dress to suit your fig ure and your charms. You want a pair of shoes. And what do you do? You go ca shoemaker with Q sketch. And what happens? You have pair of shoes that make your feet look pretty. See", she said dis- playing pair of black suede San- dles with an inch-thick sole and a very trim ankle.
 Big Hat For Beauty
 Nov, you take your hats" she said scrutinizing the surrealistic wisp of headgear hitting atop the head of this reporter. The verdict was not favorable. Its awful" she said. You understand I do not mean to be offensive. Non, non, never! But 1t is not smart. For true smartness, the big hat you wear"
 Her compatriotS gaSped with en- barrasSment and attempted to offer apologies. The speaker, with many elaborate gestures, offered assurance once again that no offense was in- tended. Mon, non never" she ex- plained graciously. T am merely comparing fashions here and there, as you asked" It was clear she was merely trying to be helpful and that Parisiennes discuss fashion as indifferently and impersonally as Americans the weather.
 But one uneasy bride, feeling her compatriot might have offered in-