What the Well-Dressed Soldier Will Wear

CHARLES DIVINE

FOR early morning wear at camp, when the beauty of dawn is about to burst over the hill and the bugle call breathes its sweet-toned, delicate summons, a soldier should exercise the nicest discrimination in dress.

First impressions are the best. So the soldier will make certain that his initial appearance in the morning, at reveille, is immaculate. Trig is the word, voilal To this neatness of attire at reveille will his whole day conform. Therefore, slipping out of his silk pajamas, which will be exquisitely patterned yet not so ornate as to be rococo, he will select his garments with the utmost care.

Even though reveille has sounded, and the assembly and roll-call in the company street, outside his tent, will take place in ten minutes, yet le soldat will debate painstakingly before making a decision about a single article of apparel which he will don. Army regulations demand his prompt response to the roll-call, of course. But how much better is it to appear late, but impeccably garbed, than to fall in on time looking even the least bit slipshod! Better ten minutes late than two shoe strings improperly adjusted. Better a half hour's tardiness than only a half crease in one's trousers.

Your captain will be much more pleased by the perfection of the debonair, soft roll of your collar, than he will by your answering to your name without that neatness of attire which marks the well-dressed soldier. N'est-ce-pas? Mais certainment!

Of course, in camp the first assembly after reveille often takes place before the sun is up and when the world out-of-doors is still as dark as night. From this one might argue that one's disarray would not be observed, but then, your true soldier takes no liberties with Dame Fashion. He dresses as smartly for the darkness as the iight. He insists upon being trés piquant.

He makes it a point of honor to fasten each legging string securely at every loop and lace, to see that each legging fits the conformation of the leg and ankle gracefully, and that the breeches hang smartly from the waist—all with that exquisite air of beau monde!

And now a word about the pajamas which have been mentioned. They will be silk, of course. For privates, called in French simples soldats, the silk will naturally be of simple shade,—pink or lavender preferred. For corporals and sergeants, the patterns will be striped. Two stripes for corporals, three for sergeants; thus, in the event of a fire call during the night, and the guests are suddenly called out—pardonez moi, I should say and les soldats are suddenly called out,—the officers will then be recognizable from the privates with whom they will be thrown in contact heterogeneously.

For the afternoon, those soldiers who have been accustomed to spend the Spring months at some of the more réchérché resorts along the Southern coasts, will wear coatings and trouserings of a chic heliotrope, with mother-of-pearl buttons. Corporals and sergeants will adopt the same uniform with a baby-blue edging, while lieutenants will supplement their costumes with a dainty lace frilly

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For what is known as bunk fatigue in the army, or lounging in civil life, there will be worn a dressing gown of some soft, fleecy material, with gold cord|

For trench duty, russet dancing pumps will be much in vogue, especially when worn with cream-colored spats, which are so well adapted to the exhilarating sport of going "over the top." Ah, très risque!

For inspection: This quaint ceremony takes place every Saturday morning. It is the time for the soldier to display his originality—to endeavor to get attention directed to him by an exhibition of individual taste in dress, to compel the captain to mark him out and, if possible, to comment upon his appearance.

There are many ways, which will be sanctioned by the Beau Brummels, to achieve that dash of individuality, that je ne sais quoi. For some, a plain straw hat with a fancy band. For others, a parasol, olive drab in color, as that is the army's favorite shade this season. Everything must be practical. That is the touchstone of to-day's modes. The parasol can be carried on guard duty, for it has a very practical clasp by which it may be attached to the bayonet lug of the rifle and thus be carried above the muzzle of the gun.