The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-26
The New Female Costume.

from the Burlington (yt) sentinel May 81
We are not in the habit of rejoicing over any
thing that pleases US. But we surrender to the
qualification which inspires us at the prospect Of .
change in the present ridiculous fashion Of sdies'
dresses The good time" appears tobe approach
ing, at last. IL we have been disturbed by any
enormity, II has been by the ungracefal, uncom-
Portable, illooking and worse acting skirts which
inexorable fashion has doomed the fairer portion
Of our race 70 wear. We hoped to live long enough
to the existing absurd fashion Of female hsbil
ments changed and we shall. Nothing could be
more ncongruous with correct idea Of lady. like
cleanliness, and even decency, than the spectacle q
a lady-like person promenading the streets with .
diess that not only performs scavengcr's duty BY
sweeping the pavement, but furnishes refuge for
fugitive insects bugs and sticks, TILL her arrival
at home, her garments are a miniature museum,
containing diversified specimens Of both the animal
and vegetable worlds. This very day, we noticed
lady in elegant black silk dress passing up Cob
lege street and VIC solemnly aver that their skirts
would have been valuable in a lecture room efths
University as illustrative of several varieties Of OBJ
iects interesting to the student Of natural history
though geology seemed to hold the fret place Just
think Of il. black silk dress edged with clay, in
telsrersed with animate and inanmate dust, OBJ
tanned from the pavement. VIII the ladies rsdeot
a momentl VIII they turn to some book Of
tunes, and notice how graceful, and beautiful, and
Appropriate, and convenient, is the Turkish style
OF female habiments, and how awkward sluttish,
and inconyeniea, in comparison, IL the dress with
which imperious fashion has cnvelopcd them! VIII
they inform us what particular advantage, either
as respects true modesty (Which is independent Of
styles Of dress) or true taste, Il derived from
fashion that makes them (and not us coarser NOR
tas) chronological colectorsl We should bo glad
TO know. We doubt the justness OF that canon Of
conventionality which makes our wives and
daughters poriers Of bugs and dirt. Perhaps vs
are mistaken. five are female humanity viii pro
badly stick 10 fashion Of dress that confers this
distinction upon il.
trrom the Mlwauke Wisconsin. May iel
The first example of the short skirt and Turkish
fYON has nm ~ "A E8st nj
street this afternoon. The dress Is Of green silk,
and the rowscrs Of white linen, full aud gathered
into band at the ankle, With short ruf The
appearance Is extremely elegant and graceful. The
young lady, who has had the courage thus to face
the Mede e.and- Pcrsian law Of long established Gus
tom, and discard an awkward and useless style cf
dress for one both becoming and commodioas, 10
serves the highest praise. We trust that host OF
others will follow her example. and leave street
sweeping to IT, legitimate professors.
f!'rom the Boston Transcript, May %
The Partisan dcguRe, though her full skirt may
gracefully sweep over the ,arpet Of saloon, ~
never guilty Of the provincial yulgarity q allowing
the trailing length Of evening dress TO be
dragged through the dirt Of r promenade. and
rldes unspotttd through the miry thoroug hfares.
We beg, however. not TO dissuado any ladies in
this. our liberal country, from renewing the panta-
lettes Of their girlhood, and from showing their
independence Of the Tyranny" which has charsc.
tcrizcd all "forogn millincrs," froa the days Of
Horncrs Howing-robed heroines, and the long
sfted portraits on those earliest and quaintest Of
fashion plates. Though we had supposed that an
inch or two would suffice in ordinary walking, wc
cordially agree that the curtailment TO the knee
will be invaluable in spring thaw, especially sc-
csmranied with top boots. We are convinced also
thatthc trowscrs viii afford much warmth TO deli
cate limbs. though as yet we 90 not see how this
effect is increased by cutting ~ the superahund:nt
pc,ticoat For the matter OF yTae, We wousd rather
deft our opinion, until moro habiusted 70 tho
novelty of feminine gait in musculine habilimcnts,
and TO the revelations Of more developed contour
| The ladies of educatiCn and rchsmert. TO whom
we owe this change, announce 10 US that the dress
Is s,ill in transition state. From Ais specimen OF
their energy and indcpendence,wc think u very pro-
/ bable Turkish trowsers are Of cumbrous and un-
ganly amplitude; they will. no doubt, soon tire Of
their embarrassing superauivy and passing through
the various ungairly phases Of pantaloondom, will
| eventually arrive st that simple and unsrammeled
STYLE Of toilette which present prejudces have
/ unfortunately associated with the ballet. We
| would suggest as an ornament the motto, "hon sod
/ g,u mai pcasc," worn in its original position
| Long drsfses may do well enough for countries
| where women seek 10 charm by domestic graces
1 and TIC distinctive attractions Of their sex. Bu
with us. where they already aguratvcly assume th'
garments Of the other sex N public meetings enS
conventions they should also enjoy in private lif'
the national privilege Of resting their feet on char
backs and mantel pieces In comfortable costume,
We have not yet learned how the fair Wearers o'
straw hats, sack coats. and trowsers, are 70 @ @Ve
distinguished from masculine bearers oi inc haoln
mtnts Until some definite badge shall re deNseo
We can imagine much confusion arising N the ~
rangement &C ladies cabins aud doable-beaoes
LODGING rooms Rut We hope iar tue cause 81 pto
gress that any lt,la awkward cohiFetemls s@ua @
may arise will he taken m good pa,t' tos W taes'
] neier yet rIss gf.a. eeust Wiih0@ seias ma1Jt'