WOMEN’S DRESSES

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1930, Page 3

WOMEN’S DRESSES

long skirts again

A WOMEN’S DEBATE*

t united Ifreso A&iMxa&bioti • jby Eleciir.i Telegraph Copyright,,.

London, May 8

Almost before London 'realised it, long sweeping skirts have returned. Each day and night sees thousands of more victims to the fashion. So

seriously has the invasion, which was regarded as almost impossible, been taken, that it was the subject of a debate by (associations of women’s clerks and secretaries to-night.

Ellen Wilkinson advocated skirts three inches below the knee, and .La'dy.. J/uff-Gordon, six inches. The ;art critic,G.. S. • Sandilands declared unequivocally for long skirts clay and night, but received small sup or't.

Ellen Wilkinson declared short skirts largely ob.it.cra.ed class differences, and appealed ito , the. power of fashion . dictators. The ; crinoline w s just beyond long skirts. “If -they get us into long skirts they will get us into corsets.” Elien Wilkinson fervently appealed to business girls to rigidly resist Lady DufF-Gordon, and declared with emphasis amidst applause, “Long skirts will never return. Men will stop it. The girl who wears it is a fool.” Thus saying, she stood upon the table to.exher own short skirt.

Sandilands urged that throughout the whole experience of art the long skirt triumphed. “I do not advocate Uiort skirts but trousfirs.’’ He was howled down.

The audence unanimously declarer it would not wear long skirts.

Meanwhile the Men’s Dress Reform 0 ■ League in which.. Dean Inge is prominent, declare women have let them down. “Last year we were uphold' ing her. model gold, sense to misguided men. They are now !>ehnving like a poor fool man. They trail disgusting dresses oil the floor and then return to the nursery to kiss their children, carrying millions of disease gems.”

Nevertheless dress reformers are getting ready for a summer campaign.