Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-12-17

the forms Dress lie; consider its colors There
is certainly nothing which contributes more to the
appearance of an elegant female, than the taste
display cd in tho choice of the colors Of her dress
With in dress we readily associate the idea of
a cultivated mind. In the composition of colours
for dress, there ought to be one predonnatine CO.
lo"r, to which the rest should be subordinate. AS
painters
"Perinit not two conspicuous lights to shine
NV 18th rival radiance in the same design
So in Dress half Of the body should never be dis
'ingushed by one color, and the other by another.
whatever divides the attention, dininshes the
beauty of the object; and though each part taken
separately, may appear beautiful, yet, as a whole,
the effect is destroyed. Were each particular limb
differently coloured, the effect would be ridiculous.
vt is iii this way" observes MIR. Allison, ''that
mountebanks are drcssed and il never fails pro-
duce the effect that is intended by it, excite the
mirth and rdicule of the common people," The
subordinate colors should bear near relation to
the predominant one; and they should be il, har-
mony With each other. Prcdominating colours are
best relieved by contrast; but the contrast should
not be so strong as TO equal the colour it is Intended
| to relieve, for 1t then becomes opposition, which
should always be avoided. Contrast, skilfully
| managed, gives force aud lustre the colour re-
licvcd, while opposition destroys its effect The
! choice OF the predominating colour will be indi-
| Gated chiefly by the complexion of the wearer
\ When It is the defect of the face to coutain too
much yellow, then yellow around the face removes
by contrast, and causes the red and blue to pre-
\ dominate. When it is the fault of n face to con-
1 tain too much red, then red around the face re-
moves II 10y contrast, and causes the yellow and blue
to predominant. When il is the fault of Il face to
contain too much blue, them blue around the face
removes II by contrast, aud causes the yellow and
red to predominate. When it is the fault of a face
to contain too much yellow and red then orange Il,
TO be used. When it is the fault of a face tn con-
| tain too much red and blue, then purple is IN h.
used When it is the fault of face to contain too
much blue and yellow, then green is to be used
The reason why dark faces are better affected nv
darker colors, is evidently because they tend 10 rem
der the complexion fairer; and the reason why fair
faces do not require dark colours is because the on
position would be too strong-thcy are already suf-
ticiently fair, aud do need 10 be blancbcd II
may be supposed, that dark yellow would by con-
| trast act best fair ruddy face having IA yellow
tint; but little consideration will show that while
this yellow i'll the dark yellow tends 10 overcome
the yellow Ill the Countenance. the black in the
dark yellow tends oppositey only to w,iten tho
lace but TO bring up the yellCw by contrast, thus
having a mixed and opposite effect All the white
faces are distinguished by sanguinc hue-the ne
gro has none. Hcuce the compatibility of white
and the compatibility of black, with the rulv con-
tenancc, is indicated. Indeed ii cannot be other
wise; red may appear on white: it cannot on black
Black accordingly ;ncver a suita Bile costume where
there IS red i'll the face; an the less so the stronger
the red On tits subject there is difference in the
sexes. Black Is less objectionable for dark and
ruddy, than for Il fair and ruddy complexion in the
female We may now consider the texture of dress
Fineness and thnness of course generally pre-
ferable to the reverse. Their roughness or smooth
ness admits of some observation. In general the
hne surfaces which arc somewhat rough, form a
good contrast with the smocthness of the kin, rs in
velvet, Grape, lace, sc. The opacity or transpa-
rency of materials also deserves considerations
With regard To the figure in general, an Opaque
dress is better suited to en-bon-pont figure; and
n transparent dress to a thin one. With regard to
the lace IN particular, transparency of the dress
which comes i'll contact with it, is i'll seneral pre-
ferable. Rough and transparent Grape has a better
effect upon it than smooth and opaque cambric.