Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-07-04
BLOOmER COSTUME.

Mr.. EDITOR
Being but ga locker on in Venice" having no
position in fashionable society, still feel an inter-
est in suppressng this style of dress, believing it
to be very closely connected with the respectable
ity of my sex.
The convenience of this dress has been very
we'll discussed and settled. 1t amounts in the
end to but very little. And does it overbalance
the objections! An American woman's char
acter depends not upon any one virtue; she
must observe all the proprieties of life, in order
to make proper distinction between virtue and
vice Is it consistent with the dignity of wo-
man to enter the drawing room warmly advoca-
ting the cause of moral reform-and pass from
thence into the street clad in so unbecoming a
manner, that a crowd Of vagabond boys follow
would show the vile ptiful creature she is so
anxious to reclaim.
The principle, on which this is adopted, is OBJ
jectonable. The setting aside long established
customs, and assuming an independence to which
we have no right, Chat Of public opnion) simp-
Iy because most gentlemen like the Dress and
think it gives youthful pretty look. Does not
this wonderful independence originate in read
ing French Romanccs they have been very
popular Of late years. 1t seems but natural
consequence that we should begi to ape the
manners, and morals of French heroines. Gen
tlemen are perhaps not aware of the influence
they exert over the minds of ladies', and there
fore are not sufficiently cautious in sactionng
customs, which, to say the least doubtful pro-
priety. There is no occasion to bring forward
Joan of Arc, as a model for American ladies'
of the present generation. Thanks to our
many noble minded and talented statesmen.)
Though there are doubtless many, rery many
of us that would perform with surprising aacrty,
the feats of our grandmothers, (should occasion
require.) would walk all night alone, undauntcd'
unasaamcd, to the camp of Washington, to
give the warning of the approach of an enemy !;
but could rot find courage or brarad0 sufficient
to promenade Main street in trowsers. No,
lot even for the laudabe ambition of hearing
the gentlemen say we looked very youthful and
pretty.
The dress styled Bloomcr dress, is not only
unbcccming, but unsafe. 1t does not sufficient
ly protect the wearer in inclement weather. In
a variable climate like ours, a woman must fire.
quently walk through wet streets; then trowsers
become wet about the ankle, she cannot loosen
them, and they freeze to the ankle, or remain wet
until she can return home, which is a great ex-
posture TO the health.
If the bottom of our present dress becomes wet,
as is often the case, it may freeze or otherwise, so
long as it is unconnccted with our limbs, our
lives are not endangered, ladies' can dress in a
very becoming manner, without overstcpPing
the bonds of propriety i'll any way, and as dress
is an index TO the mind, they should study neat
ness and simplicity, as industriously as they
would cultivate the christian virtues.
VIII the next step in reform be to lay aside
our bonnets on entering a house Of worship or
other public assemblies, or shall we remain con-
tent with the present custom, and study TO per-
form our domestic duties with order and deCorum.
and by becoming pTopriety of dress and man
ner add grace and dignity to our position, Civ
ing cheerful influence to the family circles.
and rejecting honor on our husbands and faith
crs. Much might be said against this dress,
but it seems an idle waste of words on fool
ISL subject. Gentlemen like it, well, let them
advocate the cansc, and spend their manly clo-
quence on the BIoomer dress, most profitable
occupation for our wise ones.