Life — March 23, 1911 — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

LTE E Life’s Fashion Reform League Great Problem Now Before the Women of America— Other Important Matters IRST, we should like to state to everyone that it is impossible for us to answer all the correspondence which comes in by every mail from all parts of the country. We advise every woman to become a member and to pledge herself to get an entirely new wardrobe at least every three months; this, if she is married, will keep her hus- band where he belongs, and will prevent him from getting tired of her. No American woman will hereafter go abroad for her clothes. America for the Americans. We have just added a corset house to our other buildings in Life Park (formerly Central). It is just opposite where the old 200 was lo- cated. We make corsets to order from one hundred dollars up, according to age and weight. The question which is agitating the country at present, exclusive of all others, is whether bathing suits shall be worn all the year around. Hitherto eel cit bathing suits have been confined to the beach at summer resorts. At first the idea of wearing them in town was scoffed at, but it suddenly dawned on our experts that the more ridiculous and absurd a new style was, the more it ought to be tried out. Several of our models began the style by wearing bathing suits of our own de- sign down Fifth Avenue. Although far more modest than some of the other costumes worn, they attracted immedi- ate attention by their singularity. Fat ladies universally object to them, but that is only because they do not un- derstand the possibilities. It is possible to make a bathing suit from one of our newest patterns so that the wearer ac- tually looks thin, The bathing suit is recommended for afternoon bridge. It is cool and com- fortable. Bathing suits for church are worn rather full. Undoubtedly before el the matter can BATHING OPERA TOILETTES POR 1911, OP VARICOLORED ALPACA AND JEU-D'ESPRIT, CUT pECOLLETE AT BOTH ENDS be settled, a campaign of education will be necessary. The more enlightened ladies favor them. For one thing, we have the Suffragette element with us. Here is a letter just received: Dear League: Sptendidt I wore my first bathing suit on the platform last night, and was greeted by cheers from three thousand people, most of e . welcome this innovation greatly. Hitherto. my audiences have’ been ‘mostly women, but the new style brings the men, and if we can convince them of the justice of our cause think of the wonderful new era that will dawn, Berry K——. New England generally objects. Here is a letter from Boston: Dear Madam: I trust 1 am no prude, but the idea of wearing bathing suits generally is something that no self-respecting woman should tolerate for one moment. I shall be compelled to send in my resignation as a member of your League if this thing keeps up. Surely’ our civie standards are being strangely lowered. Minerva —. That the question is an important one —as important as any that women have ever had to settle in this country—no- body can deny. It is strongly felt by many of our social and intellectual lead- ers that the universal wearing of bath- ing suits will introduce a new social régime. Unfortunately, there was no unoccu- pied building in Life Park (formerly Central) large enough to hold the mass meeting held last week, dedicated to the cause, and Madison Square Garden was therefore secured, with Mr. Morgan's permission. While the meeting was in progress, demonstration was made by the antis, but it had little effect, as they were hooted away by ten thousand mea who had gathered on the outside to see some of our newest designs. It should be understood that the bath- “ing suit idea permits of greater variety than ever. First: It does away with long skirts, thus enabling ladies to shop with greater ease. Second: It gives the skin a lovely color, which is quite natural, In ex- treme cold weather heavy wraps are, of course, worn over the costume. Third: A wonderful variety in design can be obtained, and the extreme brevity of the costumes gives a greater empha- sis to the headdresses. comicbooks.com