LESSON WAR TEACHES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 137, 12 June 1942, Page 6

LESSON WAR TEACHES

LAVISH SPENDING A SOCIAL MISDEMEANOUR

(By E. Ruth Sibley.)

LONDON, March 10,

The tension of war which now circles the world is probably increasing your awareness to conditions that have become so familiar over here.

One feels that everything is working up to the crescendo of effort that precedes the dawn of better days, for no one who stops to think can possibly doubt the plan behind all this tragedy. * - ■' The whole world had to be involved to prove that only truth can prevail over the evil of aggression which has ruined the,lives,and homes and-coun-tries of countless millions of plain, peace-loving people. Though, as Mr. Churchill said—we have reached the crest of the road and can see what lies before us-Mve know we are not going to roll along that road to ultimate victory and peace in anything like luxury.- .

There are hard times ahead for all of us; but this will only alarm those

who muddle their values. A lowered! standard of living does not necessarily! imply a diminution of courtesy, proper pride, or even of genuine elegance. MONEY REPLACED MANNERS. Looking back, one feels that after the last war our social Standards deteriorated. Money—^however acquired —took the. place of manners; flamboyant smartness . replaced . gracious charm in women, wise-cracking passed for wit, and clothes were amusing rattier than becoming. *.-, . We are: how 'entering a phase in which lavish ■ spending : on personal or household affairs; will be a social ; misdemeanour, and shall probably revert to pur grandmothers' standards of dress, when it was'hot good style for! one's clothes to look new! :

Girls who spent their money more or less recklessly on dress in prewar days- used to be frankly incredulous when they read stories of fashion leaders' who limited; their wardrobes to just a few .well-styled clothes, ringing the changes with their choice of accessories. The war will teach them to dress much better than they used to do, especially if they have a sense of style plus a touch of t individuality— and study fashion trends carefully, adapting them to suit their particular type. ■ — I have sketched part of one of the most attractive outfits that I have seen lately.

A black woollen coat with lamb revers was very closely fitted about the waist and flared about the hems, and had padded shoulders. Beneath this was a slim, narrow skirt topped by a dolmani-sleev^d'tunic 'jumper Ui bright bjue, »nd a second in oystev sa,tft» provided. ■-», 'choice for dressy occasions. ■