"A TIGHT FIT"

Beau Brummel must be rejoicing in his grave over the latest tendencies of the clothing industry or perhaps he is longing to be back that he might assume the post of dictator of styles. For the time when a suit was a suit and a hat a hat is passed. Warnings and ridicule of the increasing vanity of man can be laid to despairing editors in dire need of filler who under such circumstances will draw unwarranted conclusions from a single individual rich enough to purchase hair cut, shave, shampoo, and tonic all at once.

But it is impossible to wholly disregard the course of events. Styles for men are actually being changed and set by the International Association of Clothing Designers; and the changes are receiving almost as much attention as "Paris Decries More Ribbons this Spring" and "Five Young Men Held as Coin Box Looters". It is no longer a mere question of vanity or indifference; latest fashions for men are rising to reality independent of Hart Schaffner and Marx advertisements.

Moreover the movement is wide spread. Tuxedos are out of favor in Berlin, and the social world is revolving on an orbit of hired dress suits. Oregon, after abolishing private schools, has taken a fling at convention and outlawed finger-bowls as "filthy and dangerous and tip-inducing." So important has the question become that a Representative in Congress is encountering serious opposition as candidate for majority leader solely because he owns too many sack suits and has them repaired too often.

Against such a display of arbitration mere mortals are helpless. The only resource left is an attempt at imagining oneself in the outfit decreed. "Peg-top" trousers and sport coats, Norfolk predominating, with "novelty" effects for street wear, and as capstone and keynote of the whole "a low, flat, derby hat with a small feather, preferably red or grey, tucked neatly on the left side"; and man is complete in all his glory. If the new styles find ready acceptance perhaps it would be well to garb even tender freshmen in somber caps and gowns.