PAGE EIGHT '!i Ak Otti+t'." r iAil* lr.r"' kjil) ' l r1 U i ,SDA Y, tilARCH 17, 1955 PAGE EIGHT frIiAiS1)A)~, i~I&BA.2U 17, 1955 'Inconspicuous' Salesgirls Soar, Reach Top Positions inRetailing NEW TWIST TO THE WRIST: Smart Coeds Choose Right Accessories t (9 By MARJI BLUTTMAN "May I help you?" This comes from the inconspicu- ous salesgirl deemed unimportant and usually taken for granted. The public couldn't be more mistaken about one of the more exciting jobs for women-salesmanship. The so-called "unimportant" salesclerk is actually the key to retailing, demonstrating the fact that she is the trade's most im- portant figure. A century ago, this was definite- ly not the case. Since the majority of salesclerks were men, a sales- girl in the 1850's was a distinct rarity. This daring pioneer had to be at work at 6 a.m. before the store opened, had to sweep the floor, dust the counters and showcases, Stretchability in Stockings Will Revolutionize Industry By ANN FRIEDMAN "When will I ever get stockings that really fit?" complains many a woman. The answer to this dilemma can now be found in a new type nylon with stretchability which may rev- olutionalize the stocking industry. Besides being stretchable, this ho- siery boasts durability and sheer beauty. It is sold with a guarantee of three months' wear from every two pair. Another advantage of this stretchable stocking is that it will "stay put," so that a seam once straightened remains that way all day. The nylon yields to every movement, yet does not stretch to the point of bagginess. This controlled stretch is the result of a new method of pro- cessing and knitting 100% nylon yarn a dull finish and durability enough to warrant tne guarantee. The new hosiery comes in three sizes, adaptable to foot size and length. Women who have an "odd" stocking size will find these ny- lons fit both the foot and the leg. A local store is carrying them at $1.95 a pair. :, oplIIIIIIIIII Red's Rite Spot trim and fill the lamps and bring in the water and coal. Not only was she required to work until about 9 p.m. but she was requested by her employer to attend church and prayer meet- ings in the evenings. No doubt the boss even made sure of the sum that the salesgirl placed in the collection box. The fruits of this 19th century clerk's labor amounted to $3 or $4 a week. If she was especially good her salary might have risen to $7 or, if she was outstanding, she might have received $10 for a week's work. In addition to difficult working coniditions, scant pay and even scantier free time for herself, the salesgirl was confronted with vio- lent opposition from the male sex who resented women in business. Nevertheless, the feminine touch paid off, and at the end of the Civil War, women had gained a substantial foothold in retailing. At this time new buying aids began to appear on the scene, prices became fixed, and selling took on higher class airs with more attractive merchandise and subtler advertising. Conditions Improve The salesgirl then really came into her own, with working condi- tions having been improved 100 per cent. She was really moving. In New York, Macy's set the pace with their first woman execu- tive, Margaret Getchell, who was later replaced by a former sales- girl, Marie Bowyer. Throughout the country indi- vidual women were gaining local recognition in store work-now on the executive end as well as in selling. Field Expands The concept of ladies' ready-to- wear came into being during the first World War and with it a whole new host of jobs for women )pened up. The "fashion-on-the-racks" en- abled the salesgirls to move up to buyers, fashion co - ordinators, marketers and a host of others. Stores set up training programs for women colleges and universi- ties offered courses and profes- sional training in the retailing field. Today's salesclerk is at the gate to opportunity. Top-notch sales- girls are in perpetual demand. Ladder to Success She can climb the executive lad- de' to the topmost rungs, become merchandise manager, officer or even president of the store. Sell- ing experience can transfer to other fields such as advertising and publishing. The modern salesgirl leads a gregarious, never-a-dull-moment life. Her job is fascinating, with good pay, regular hours and a vast store of opportunities. Did some- one say inconspicuous and unim- )ortant? A million and a half selling women can't be wrong! By RUTH WEISS Choosing the right accessories for your suits and dresses goes hand in hand with picking a spring wardrobe that will really "knock" 'em dead" at a glance. Matching colors is of prime im- portance, but next to that, every' coed wants to know a little about what styles are popular this spring. There's a new twist to the wrist in the shorty gloves that are hold- ing Spring in their grasp. These gloves are blossoming out with all the favorite flowers, decked in a wide range of colors. Pastels, pansies, roses, violets, or sweet peas will be found adorn- ing many a gal's gloves. There's a changing picture in materials, too. Leather, which had placed high on the fashion list, has given ground to fabric gloves. The miracle fiber yarns are speed- ily overtaking cottons. Nylon, holding a steady lead, is preferred for its light-weight and casual yet dressy look. This swing to miracle fibers extends also to the ever-popular string and cro- chet glove. The long line in purses is the ticket this spring with several va-. rieties in style. x. PERKY PURSES-Small cluch bags to brighten up any spring costume look oh, so smart and cost oh, so little. Shown are a shiny-black plastic patent with a perky red lining and a little purse in a new multi-colored fabric with a brocade effect. Both are priced around $3. Matching the new look, the long-tailored bag will prove use- ful for many social affairs. A paper-thin fiat bag is smart for the fashion-conscious shop- per. The large Italian bag, with generous side pleats can be used to carry every, thing from your small packages to the be- loved American College Diction- ary. Large, long handbags with rigid shell handles are tops for town wear. Beads around the neck, ropes or necklace, is top fashion in cos- tume jewelry. Pearls and glass beads in all shapes and sizes add that extra touch to sweaters and blouses. Earrings are well established, with the big button in number one place. Even pins accentuate the new line adding a sparkle to long- jacket suits and long-torso dresses. 17 I ~--1JId MISS ETTA LUBKE Editor of the Ensian Alli for Women 2 PIOCOS O'Nite Regular only $19.54 plus tax Ladies' Wardrobe $25.00 plus t.xlus for Men Quick-Tripper what you've been missing! <8mm HOME MOVIES bigger with the new {. kt Keystone fMAGNA-SCOPE PROJECTOR Gives you magnified home movies with clearer, brighter. k truer detail than MAGNA-SCOPE projectors ever before. as low as =127.95 Practically fills 30"x40" screen at 12 feet. come in for a FREE DEMONSTRATION now! Purchase Camera Shop 1116 South University "PURCHASE FROM PURCHASE" $19.50 plus tax Two-Suiter $25.00 plus tax " 6 "better-than-leather" finishes! * Packs more clothes- wrinkle-free. * Luxurious linings. " Wipes clean with a damp cloth, resists scuffing! " Two pieces cost less than you'd expect to pay for one of such fine quality luggogel Initials will be put on luggage at no exrta charge. 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