Life — April 6, 1911 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

Life’s Fashion Reform League In Spite of Every Criticism, the Great Work Still Goes On O great reform movement was ever undertaken that did not have to fight its way through criticism. We are no exception, We have received the following communication: Dear Sins: I have watched your movement with con- siderable interest, and can only say that your fashions, as I see them, are too tame. Why. they don't begin to be so radical as the things I see daily on Fifth Avenue. Un less you can do better than this, you might as well go out of business. Aprte W——. Our friend has a total misconception of the object of the League. She seems to think that our idea is to advance on the present styles. Not at all. Our main object is to tone everything down. We are for quietness and refinement FIG 1, THE “NOURMAHAL" MODIFIED HAREM BREECHES (MADE SLIGHTLY BOUFFANT), WITH GARNITURE OF CLOISSONNE POUP-POUF PERLES ON THE BRETELLES, ea led bl Bist and true modesty, provided it doesn’t go too far. For example, our barefoot movement, which has now grown to ‘such propor- tions, is along the line of simplicity. Think of what it means for any young girl, instead of having to walk down Fifth Avenue in a snowstorm in velvet slippers and silk stockings, to do the same thing barefooted? It makes for health for one thing, and it is much more natural. No! We intend to tame down the styles that have been worn for some time. Our artists are now working on new designs which will have a quicting eflect. One of our Easter costumes, for ex- ample, will cost only twelve hundred dollars, not including the hat, which is five hundred extra. It will be made of purple lilies, manufactured from chilled steel, and hung with festoons of moyen ge rosettes in shrimp pink, with a bi- furcated skirt and feet au naturel, The hat is composed of a large group of An- gora cats, arranged like a happy family, with three pergolas on the side, fes- tooned with trailing arbutus. This will herald the advent of spring. In the meantime, Life Park (formerly Central) presents an animated appear- ance. Our new model green, where al! new costumes are layed before be- ing placed on the market, is crowded from morning until night with some of the latest designs submitted. No longer being subservient to Paris, we are ena- bled to offer some of the most original designs. Next week there will be a grand gathering of brides from all parts of the country. Hitherto the bride’s costume has been of regulation pattern. We con- template some changes which will be more in line with true American ideals, For about thirteen thousand dollars we can furnish any bride with a simple trousseau which will last for some six months or so. money you can make this in your own home and save three or four hundred dollars. Economy is our watchword. We real- ize that American men do not wish to burden themselves with the expense of a wardrobe running into the millions, as heretofore. Any lady who wishes to join the League will be instructed how to make If you wish to save her own clothes, with the assistance of our League dressmakers, who are al- ways on call. The expense of having one of our dressmakers in your own home is incon- siderable, and we feel sure that Ameri- can husbands will welcome this innova- tion. For twenty-five dollars a day we will furnish a large, handsome woman with a superb education, who will not only make home pleasant but will make your wife's wardrobe at one-half the usual price. Each lady dressmaker we send out is accompanied by three trained assistants, who cut and baste, These ladies require very little per- sonal attention. Aside from having their meals served in their rooms and ONE OF OUR NEW BRIDAL CREATIONS, SHOWING HOW VEIL IS TO BE WORN THIS YEAR—A GAUCHE, AND LEAVING THE KNEES IN ALL THEIR BEAUTY. (See text.) comicbooks.com