Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-04-08
BY ELEM

that has occurred in fashion
in the past 60 years is that
women are no longer slaves to
it, to their kitchens. or to the
fashion fact that they must
suffer in order to achieve a
current fashion look.
There is no denying the
charm of the lingerie, the
clothes of the by-gone eras.
But as Mari George-one of
the models used in our pic
torial contrast of the past ana
present styles-remarked when
she was laced into the whale
bone corset for the picture,
they tortured women in those
days"
The Hecht Co is now cele-
brating it's Goth anniversary.
In graphic terms they are with
the assistance of the Davis
Memorial Goodwill Industries
showing costumes of the past
with present interpretations
and adaptations of them
throughout the various de-
partments OF their store.
In go years of selling what
we been some of the marked
Ranges in fashions?
IN SHOES - From heavy,
'igh-cut buttoned shoes to
'Ow-cut, high-heeled flattery
n featherweight feathers and
previously never-before-
,reamed of colors.
Mr.. Jack Rosenberg, the
stores shoe buyer for 36 years
started out as a shoe salesman
A years ago. When he began.
the side lace shoe in black or
tan was just about it for a
woman. "A woman would
come in and squeeze until she
got her foot in the shoe, and
that was that" said Mr..
Rosenberg. Sometimes they
insisted on getting shoes in a
size too small for them. When
they did against our protests
we'd make a marking in the
shoe so that later on when the
woman came back to yell how
badly they hurt. we'd prove
that she had insisted on suf-
fering
Comfort, says Mr.. Rosen-
berg. is the net result in to-
days shoes because women
lead more active lives than
they did so years ago, and to-
day they care as much for fit
as for f1attery.
An interesting observation
in the changeover from high
to low cut shoes in 1921 was
made by Mr.. Rosenberg. 1T
seemed as though it was an
overnight thing. One day
women came in wanting high
shoes, then they didn't want
them. Some shoe buyers
caught without warning al
most committed suicide over
the fact that they were stuck
with shoes they'd never be
able to sell again." he added.
IN LINGERIE-Voluminous
gowns and petticoatS gave way
to streamlined, sleek slips and
bra slips. Bulky corset covers
were retired to attic trunks
and curve-molding bras to-
day are comfortable and lovely
to wear. Heavy cotton that
yellowed with age has lost the
fashion round in 1856 to the
test-tube's dip, drip. and dry
no-iron nylon.
IN SLEEPWEAR - Yards
and yards of embroidered cot
ton made into dust-gathering
long peignors and nightgowns
haves moved over to make a
place in the fashion sun for
cool, delightful baby doll
pajama sets.
IN GIRDLES - Torturous
whalebone is a relic today.
Sleek. lightweight, figure
controlling girdles and all-in-
ones provide the firm assist
ance needed to keep active
figures under control.
IN DRESSES-Each cycle
of fashion leaves its imprint
on an era and today is no
different from 60 years ago.
Sixty years hence our wand
slim silhouettes will raise eye
brows in much the manner
that dust-ruffle gowns did in
our day.
IN HOSIERY-H Heavy, hide
Gus cotton stockings were for