WOOL AND SILK CLAD BABIES

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 208, 29 May 1926, Page 17

WOOL AND SILK CLAD BABIES

THE ERA OF STARCH AND MANY STRINGS HAS GONE The vogue for knitted woollen garments has spread to the wardrobes of even babes in arms! A woollen coat for “evervdav” wear frequently replaces the cloak or elaborate shawl. cloaks and handsome shawls are bought for christening ceremonies,” said u buyer in a West End store, “but not as a rule for general occasions. _ We sell vast numbers of woolly outfits, coinprising coat, leggings, and cap, in white for small babies, and bright and pastel shades for toddlers. “The trend towards simplicity is very noticeable in babv clothes,” said the buyer. “With the exception of party frocks, garments for toddlers are rarely trimmed with lace, and for infants a plain lawn robe, trimmed with a little embroidery, has the biggest sale. Robes are now 27in. long from neck to feet. About four years ago they were 36in. long. An Australian idea is to replace the robe with a long jumper in wool, which reaches to the baby’s feet. This has long sleeves, and fits closely round the neck. . Many mothers dispense entirely with a robe, putting the baby into the familiar woollv legiJl'bgs reaching from the waist and elongating into "feet.” A plain knitted coat to match is worn. Besides being comfortable, these woollen garments save ironing, and, being porous, and allowing air to enter, and being soft to the touch, they are altogether more suitable and hygienic garments than the excessively embroitlcre.d, starched, and ironed garments many women remember in their early days. in addition, the modern "woollies” eliminate as far as possible strincj, scams—which r eed not be nt all bulky to mean much discomfort to tender little limbs—gussets, buttons, and safety pins. Medical and nursing authorities arc insistent in their teaching that no pressure must be exerted on n baby’s fragile little body. For this reason all approved garments have roomy armholes so that the small arms can be easilv coaxed into the garments. If first’garments are used then they are made with a big wran-over, and with fastenings of soft buttons so that there shall be no tying of strings. Strings are avoided because of the danger of being tied too tight, and, in any case, a knot probably gives as much bulk as a button.—“Dailv Mail.”