Movement Towards Dress Reform

Northern Advocate, 8 March 1947, Page 4

Movement Towards Dress Reform

I Fof many years advocates for greater ; comfort in summer dress of mere 1 males have sought to popularise a de- | parture from convention. ; Even in the warmer parts of New I Zealand these efforts met with little success and the conventionally-mind-ed continued to swelter within the confines of tight collars, constricting I I neckties and heavy suits. Some lessening was evident by a 'trend towards dispensation with super- | fluous waistcoats and adoption of light | flannel trousers and open sports coats, j Still the male, however, continued to I envy the female of the species with ; her gossamer frocks, uncovered legs | and untrammelled movement. I GREENEST HUE In the heat of Northland, where the ! climate left no space for half-feelings, j the envy assumed its greenest hue. I Males continued content to cast jaunj diced eyes and to wait patiently the advent of annual vacations.

They they could discard the habiliments of custom and convention and romp unhampered in the freedom of light shorts and shorts, or even dispensce with the shirts as fancy dictated.

Apparently this had become the extent to which the suffering male was willing to bow to the dictates of summer, although to say he was contented would be to trifle with the truth. FRUIT OF EXAMPLE But last year further loosening of the confining chains of habit was indicated by odd brave males attending work in the brevity of shorts and the comfort of open-necked shirts. These indomitable representatives of the stronger sex were few, and were confined to those whose .daily labours did not take them into close contact with the public. Nevertheless their example has borne fruit and this summer Whangarei has seen a greater movement towards comfortable dress than at any time in the past. The advent of the five-day week no doubt has had its influence. The freedom of two days at the week-end has brought a reaction, a jibe at returning to the heavy circumscribed garb of custom. SLOW RATE OF PROGRESS Consequently, the demands of fashion have been less heeded. More -mere males have yielded to their inclination. In offices, in factory, in garage, workers have modified their dress. Some have adopted shorts and shirts as daily attire, some have yielded to the extent only of open-necked tieless shirts, others have discarded their suits or sports coats. Braces and belts have lost their suspendary annonymity, and have come more into evidence outside the kingdom of the home than ever in the past. Dress reform has not become universal, but at least it is making headway. Even so, at the present rate of progress it will be long before the convention-ridden male achieves as a sex the comfort and freedom of the sensibly-clad female.