STARCHED COLLARS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 46, 18 November 1926, Page 17

STARCHED COLLARS

CAMPAIGN AGAINST THEM IN PARIS. A campaign against starched collars has been begun in Paris by a new organisation called the "Anti-Carcan i.eaguc.” The ti,me of this body in itself suggests that the despite in which its members hold stiff collars, for "carcan’’ is the clumsy wooden collar worn by heavy draught horses and those employed on farms. The promoters of the loovement. says the Paris correspondent of the London "Daily Telegraph,” have described the stiff collar as a ridiculous article of clothing which is not only very expensive, but unhealthy, since it compresses the delicate organs of the throat, and interferes alike with respiration and eating. The honorary committee of the league includes a number of very well known personalities, but it may be remarked that these mostly belong to literary, musical nnd artistic circles, which have never been regarded as' offering tho best guidance in sartorial matters. The committee has drawn up statistics designed to show that the abolition of the starched collar would constitute a very important step in the present economy campaign, for it is calculated that the minimum expenditure on the neckwear of a man who wears stiff cellars is 390 francs a year. At present about 10.000.000 peonle in France wear them, which means that 3.000.000.000 francs a venr is snent on the collars and on laundry bills for keeping them starched.