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[[newspaper clipping]]
THE SPORTSMAN PILOT
^[[March 1934]]

Me thinks they do protest too much
Manila Davis

"WHAT do you wear when you fly?"

That is the question most often asked of me by women I meet everywhere. They often add, "I think I might like flying if it were not such a nuisance getting dressed for a flight."

There has been so much sales advertising about what to wear when flying that the average woman becomes confused and annoyed before she goes near an airplane. She believes she must have the proper flying togs for each change of the season or else decline an invitation to fly cross-country with a friend.

I, too, bought the latest advertised models in flying suits when I first started to fly, and paid a goodly sum for the privilege, filling my wardrobe with new apparel of every type and description, most of which is stored in a trunk and will probably be used by my grandchildren at costume balls.

Now fancy flying clothes look most attractive on the fashion page, and  stunning on the slim young girl photographed beside the propeller of a ship (usually not her own) - but practical? They are most widely used by the girls who don helmets and goggles, parade around airports and talk aviation.

"Is that what you wore flying?"

The question asked when I arrived at the Wright Field from New York in January surprised me as much as my attire surprised them. I climbed out of my plane, pulled off a pair of winter cover-alls and was dressed for Fifth Avenue - a Patou suit, hat, and high-heeled pumps. In five minutes I was in a car on my  way to the city to keep a luncheon engagement.

The reason I was dressed for the luncheon was easily explained. I have no baggage compartment in the plane, and when I carry a passenger there is room for an envelope the size of a magazine only. This carries all the baggage I need for an emergency landing and over-night, silk pajamas, toothbrush, and make-up. Then I dress for whatever particular function I expect to attend en route or upon arrival and wear light or heavy cover-alls depending upon the weather. Any kind will do as long as you are kept clean and comfortable, these can be left in the plane at the hangar and one has neither bundles to carry nor apologies to make for the long wait while you "see about getting baggage and changing clothes".

No special flying clothes are necessary, and the sooner we simplify flying, the more women will take it up and buy private planes to be used for pleasure flying just as I do. As their interest increases, they will not only buy airplanes but will talk aviation at their clubs and thereby interest others. This in turn will boost the promotion of more airports and emergency landing fields and tend to make flying more interesting and enjoyable for all of us.
[[/newspaper clipping]]

[[image - black and white photograph of Manila Davis standing by airplane]]

[PAGE 157]

Transcription Notes:
duplicate of page 165