[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—" Crusader " is
right ; man is slow to reform his clothes, but not hopeless ; for holiday purposes he has begun to discard collars and he is beginning to exchange trousers for shorts. Last summer, in a Devon seaside village, only two or three of us wore shorts, but this summer—though a sunless one—there were dozens of men in shorts. Must they relapse into trousers and collars when they return to work ? Here is the plaint of a bank-clerk : " If I venture to come to work in a soft collar, the bank manager reproves me ; what would he say if I were to appear in shorts ? " " Crusader " is right again ; the lead must come from those in authority; a brave bank manager must set an example to his clerks by himself adopting hygienic clothing, which can and must be stylish.
And that introduces another difficulty Khaki or " footer " shorts and flannel shirts are good enough for holidays, but not for town. Outfitters stock nothing better at present, nor will they till forced by a persistent demand. The average man hates to ask for anything unusual. My tailor, with some misgiving, made me a pair of shorts for a lounge suit and having accomplished this in an attractive purplish worsted, he proceeded, with more confidence, to make me a similar suit in a light-grey cashmere. A shirtmaker made me some cream-coloured poplin shirts of a silky finish, with turn-down collar—open in front—attached. With good stockings to match, the outfit is " smart " enough to satisfy the most fastidious.
For tennis, white flannel shorts are far smarter than trousers. I have worn them for the last three years and have found them so cool and comfortable that nothing would induce me to go back to trousers. And yet reform is delayed by " convention " and a fear of being " odd." A corre- spondent writes to me from Kenya Colony : " For seven years, in this Colony, I have worn white shorts and white stockings for tennis, but it is still considered ' not correct,' notwithstanding that shorts are worn here for nearly every other sport where excessive energy is required." In Buenos
Aires, I am told, cricket is played in shoits, but tennis in trousers !
Sun-bathing is practised far and wide on the Continent, but has yet to come to England, where it is still " indecent" to expose the upper half of the body. Our authorities must learn that a " slip " satisfies all requirement of " decency " and enables the whole surface of the body to be exposed freely to sun and air. We, in England, cannot afford to lose any sunshine, so little being available.
The editor of the Tailor and Cutter seems to perceive beauty in morning coats, collars, top hats, and trousers ! He deems collars and trousers sensible for wind and rain ! No, Sir, let him realize that a change for the better is in the air and let him give a lead by offering prizes to tailors for the best 82z Portland Place, W.1.
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