SHORT TROUSERS APPROVED

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21024, 28 November 1933, Page 15

SHORT TROUSERS APPROVED

1 FASHION ON THE COURTS CONTROVERSY IN VICTORIA (FROM OUR OWN - COnitESrOXDENT.) SYDNEY, November 16. After a long controversy the Lawn Tennis Association o£ Victoria has placed its seal of approval on shorts, which have been approved as regulation dress for both sexes on the tennis courts. The "inside story" associated with the decision is interesting and a trille amusing. Actually, opponents were few, for it was generally agreed that short trousers were not unbecoming, and Avere certainly convenient in a hard-fought match. It turns out that the discussion mainly centred on the suitabilityoorf r shorts for men, it being conceded that ' few women would take kindly to them. One speaker suggested that ns a majority of the women were knockkneed they were unlikely to avail . themselves of the privilege that had ■ been extended to them. Women were ; not. intended by nature to wear such garments. Another speaker said that ; men Avere rather handsome creatures - and " works of art," and they could carry oIV very nicely the short : trousers' vogue. Objections were made that shorts would destroy the uniformity of attire on the courts, but these were met by the argument that there was no uniformity to-day. Crawford, , for instance, wore a shirt with long { sleeves which were always buttoned at the cuffs. Others rolled their j sleeves, and there were some players who wore shirts without sleeves. It may be comforting to many to knoAV that the association laid it down that ' players in shorts must wear long trousers or a dressing gown before entering the club houses or the lounges. Most of the women players in Australia favour shorts, but it .is significant that they have no intention of wearing them on the courts. Mrs O'Hara Wood, a former Victorian champion, said they Avere a good idea for young players because they wore more comfortable than frocks. Mrs R. R. Harper, former Australian champion, said that shorts were all right for young'girls with pretty limbs, but for convenience in play she could not see that they Avere any belter than frocks. She would not wear shorts. Miss Peggy Oliphant .said she always wore shorts when she was playing squash, and would now do so on the tennis court. ! Miss Joan Hartigan said that shorts should be very comfortable, but she i would like to see herself in them be- ; fore she appeared in public. Mrs Jack i Crawford said that although several jwonun abroad looked very attractive ! in shorts, she did not think they would I become the universal tennis costume.