Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 March 1918 — Considering Utility and Other Things [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Considering Utility and Other Things

We may. inaugurate our spring outfitting as we will—usually it begins with the purchase of a coat for general wear —but we cannot finish without acquiring’ this malhstay of the wardrobe. For three reasons cloths and polors have made the streets more cheerful; they have been beautiful enough to tempt extravagance. There has been a generous sprinkling of gayer colors among the dark grays and blues and browns that to be so closely associated with the thought of utility clothes in the minds of most people. The spring coats are privileged to use enough woolen stuffs to make them anywhere from 45 to 48 inches long, and comfortably full at the bottom. nevertheless the best models are those that follow the straight and narrow path of wool conservation. Collars are not as Targe as they were, although there fire many models with convertible collars that may be worn close up about the throat. Over-col-

lars of brocaded or embroidered silk ot novelty weaves in cotton are a means for securing variety. Belts are narrow and plain. Small collars ending in scarf ends or throws for the neck, which may be of the same cloth as the coat or of a different material, are among the spring innovations. Wool velours, gaberdine, serge, Burella cloth and novelty woolen fabrics, in good grades, are the materials used. Some models feature a combination of silk and wool, with wide bandings of wool on silk skirts or inlays of silk. But women will hardly consider it economical to buy utility coats of anything less hardy than reliable woolen weaves. Two tasteful spring coats of wool velours are shown in the illustration. They portray the styles and are made In some of the novelty as well as staple colors. Khaki, Copenhagen, Peking, light tan, raspberry, enliven the navy, black, clay and taupe of the darker models.