Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-10-30
LADIES HEALTH vs.. FASHION.
A sensible lady correspondent of the FL,

sensible lady correspondent of the Home
Journal thus writes on this subject:
"Would that the women of America would
arouse to a consciousness Of the responsibility
resting upon them, and firmly discounten ance
any demand of fashion which can seriously
affect their health Of what consequence
will it be, some twenty years hence, whether
they strictly conform to its every caprice or
not +! but if, by so doing, their health is in
jured, how fearfully will they then see the
effects of their mad folly, not only in them
selves, but, it may be, in their children also
In a world where we begin with mothers il
is not asking too much that they should see
that their own duty is accomplished.
Look at the 'sterner SEX who, though
they vary their own dress as fashion dictates,
seem to have more sensible leader to follow:
for, in what particular can you find them sac
rifcing health demands? They may wear
combinations of the Vesuvius pattern coats
long or short wasted, yet they are careful to
dress so as to keep warm and dry
" Look at their feet You do not see ons
In hundred venture forth in damp, chilly
weather with thin-soled cloth boot Mo-
they wear boots with thick soles and high
heels; while, on the other hand, You will not
see one woman in thousand who, when the
rain is not pouring, but when the pavement is
only damp and cold, wears anything thicker
than single-soled prunella gaiter! If you
doubt my assertion, go look for yourself at the
thousands who walk in our crowded cities
Now, L ask, why is it so? Why is there such
a difference Is it that women are inferior to
men in the possession of good common sense
or is it that they dress in this absurd manner
to please the eye of man? If SO, he must bear
some of the blame, if instead Of boldly con-
temning their folly, he encourages them, by
admiring the beauty Of feet dressed in this
manner. Let fair ladies dress as thew please
in their warm houses, or in warm, dry wealth
er, but, for PHYS sake, in cold winter
weather, let them find something warmer than
boot which a strong healthy man would not
consider sufficient protection for himself from
the dews Of summer.
"We are called the weaker sex:' but
judging only by appearances it is sad mis-
nomer for what man ever thinks of going out
on cold autumn or winters day with but a
thickness Of embroidered lace or muslin over
his chest, though underneath a warm out-coy-
ering, which, every time il is in any way dis
placed, lets the cold, keen air creep into the
very seat Of life Not he He has his warm
coat buttoned up to his chin. He does not 90
out with flowing sleeves, with a fur cuff to
keep part OF the arm warm, leaving plenty of
room for the cold air to penetrate around the
upper and more susceptible part of the arm
No; his sleeves are thick, long and warm
And why is it that fashion cannot dictate as
suitable dress for ladies' wear in winter, as
she does In summer, when she rarely errs
She might with as much propriety insist upon
our wearing furs and velvet in midsummer
as on our wearing lace chemisetts, lace flov.
ing sleeves, etc., as promenade dress in win
ter"