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 the side seams of the skirt. You see, placed lengthwise it, too, gives a long line.

It almost goes without saying that crosswise trimmings are taboo. Trimming can be put on to give length.

Plain materials are less likely to make you look large than figured ones. Narrow stripes are permissible but never broad stripes or plaids.

Soft materials are best but avoid a material that “cups” to the figure like wool jersey or tricolette.

Probably, this sounds like a great many don’ts to you, but there are any number of pretty materials that you can safely choose. French serge, tricotine, tweed, crepe de chine, georgette, soft taffeta, cotton crepe, voile and batiste are examples.

There are stout girls who wear capes well, but they are the tall stout girls. If you are just medium or short and plump, a coat that is belted trimly with a narrow belt will give you better lines. ''In any event, avoid a cape. It is almost the worst enemy the stout young girl has.''

The pockets on your coat ought to be inconspicuous—never the large plastery patch pocket variety. You may have this to console you, that, anyway, slashed pockets, placed lengthwise, are smarter now.