“VEST SHIRTS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 528, 4 December 1928, Page 11

“VEST SHIRTS”

NEW FASHION IN TENNIS HIGGS’S AND COCHET’S EXAMPLE When E. Higgs, of the British team, played in Auckland he wore what was called an “athletic singlet.” The true -appellation seems, however, to be a “vest shirt,” and it must meet with approval because Cochet won the American singles in one. Cochet wore two kinds of shirts (says “American Lawn Tennis”). “One is the “vest shirt,” so called, and the other the more usual variety seen on the tennis court, and which is a loose garment and more voluminous in the matter of sleeves. Thereby hangs a tale, no doubt, and it seems preferable to weave’ this little story about tlxe garment than to prosaically make inquiries and determine the fact—

whether the laundry man failed to deliver a ‘vest shirt’ in time for I-lenri to wear it when he played Hunter. Certain it is that Frank was dressed and waiting several minutes before Henri appeared.” IN DIFFICULTIES “During the first three sets of the final match Cochet wore—perhaps struggled with, would be the better term —his baggy and voluminous shirt. Once he walked over toward the front row of the stadium, north side, where Madame Cochet was sitting, looked up at her and called attention to the right sleeve. It came down over the wrist and was apparently bothering Henri. As I “doped” it out, Madame Cochet was suggesting that Henri turn the sleeve up out of the way—but he shook his head. contenting himself with turning the sleeve up about a quarter of an inch. Perhaps he meant that it wouldn’t do any good to turn the sleeve up. “But after the intermission Henri came on to the court clad in fresh garments. A “vest shirt” was a notable part of his costume. No more was he bothered with too much shirt, or a sleeve that hampered his wrist instead of leaving it free. Henri got into the game with a vengeance and won the fourth and fifth sets in fairly short order. “Here is a tip to the makers of the ‘vest shirt’: “Get their publicity man to work, sending out a blurb something like this: “ ‘Wear a “vest shirt” and win championships, as Henri Cochet does.’ ”