“A LITTLE TOO SHORT.”

Northern Advocate, 17 September 1927, Page 4

“A LITTLE TOO SHORT.”

SYBIL THORNDIKE 1 ON SKIRTS. Miss Sybil Thorndike, the English actress, who appeared in "Saint Joan” in Paris, at the Champs Elysees Theatre, arrived in Paris (by air) just when the "battle of the skirt” was at its height. M. Poiret, the well-known fashion artist, is one of the leaders in the campaign for the return of the long skirt, while the opposition has been organised by prominent women in various walks of life.

On this question, Miss Thorndike is all for a wise moderation, "I love Prance and the French people,” she said, "and I think the Frenchwoman is adorable; no one else knows quite so well how to make herself attractive. But at the same time I do think skirts are just a little too short at present —.at least where older women arc concerned. I am very glad the dressmakers are trying to make a change.' "Except for very young people I don’t like dresses which end at the knees. lam the wrong person to express a pontifical opinion on dress, particularly in Paris, where even the little office girls manage to make themselves smart, "But I cannot help thinking that the long skirt will come back in a general way, even if the young people stick to the greater freedom and comfort of the present mode. "For all that, I am glad that some of them are protesting against the dressmakers’ fiat. I am all for protesting on nearly every subject. Woman protested wdien the short vogue was introduced —some of them are protesting still —but it came all the same. So much depends upon one’s, age and taste where dress is concerned. Miss Thorndike, however, will have no compromise in regard to hair and other questions on which controversy is raging here, "I love short hair,” she said. "That, I hope, has come to stay. It is more comfortable and in most cases looks better than long hair done up in untidy buns. Even there, though, a change is possible.” The actress’ arrival to represent England in an international dramatic festival created a great stir.