The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-07-23
HINTS ON THE ART OF DRESS.

degree OF attention which the natural de-
sire to please renders Legitimate and lauda,
ble. We would advise our fair readers to
prefer simplicity to magniiccnce. None
can deny that j: is more gratifying to be
admired fora refined taste than for an elab.
orato and dazzling splendor Tho former
never fails to produce an agreeable impress.
Ion, while the latter is very apt to provoke
criticism. Too costly an attire forms n
kind of fortification round woman, which,
wards off tho admiration she might other.
wise attract. The true secret of dress is to
make it harmonic so perfectly with the
style Of countenance and figure as to dcn-
tify it, as it were, with the character of the
wearcr; all ornaments and trimmings
should be sparingIy adopted; rosettes, but
tons, and bows should be cautiously intro
duced; trinkets and jewelry should never,
except on very rare occasions, appear to be
worn merely for display, but should be so
selected anc arranged as to have the effect
OF seeming essential for the adjustment of
some part Of the dress, or worn for the sake
OF some pleasing association. Fashion,
who is often capricious, but not necessarily
despotic-althougl the servile obedience of
her votaries might sometimes lead one to
suppose so-should never be followed too
closely; still less should s;ngularity of
style be affected. This is an error which Il
woman is never forgiven by her own sex,
probably because it implies that she is dar-
ing enough. to have opinions of her own,
and vain enough 10 set them forth in op-
position to those usually received.
The prevailing mode, whatever it may be,
should be modified and adapted to suit in
dividual peculiarly. No eccentric design,
for the sake of its novelty, and no gaudy
material, because it is recent and original,
should be worn, however popular it may
be; for the currency of fashion is no
proof Of its being good one like false
coin, it may be 10 the interest Of some to
endeayor to get it passed. The various
forms of apparel should be daily considered
by every lady. They should be such as
combine utility with elegance, and should
be so contrivcd rs to enhance the natural
charms ofa well made figure, to conceal i'm
perfections where they exist tight enough
to display the undulatng lines of beauty,
and yet Of sufficient dimensions to allow a
free and graceful movement.
a short, stout figure should avoid the
loose flowing robes and ample draperies
suitable for tall, slight women; while these
again should be scrupulous in adopting
fashions which compress the figure, give
formality, or expose angels. The close fit
ting corsage and narrow sleeve, becoming
to the short, plump female, should be mod
'hed, III the reverse case, with simple trim
mlngs to add fulness and width across the
bust and shoulders and give a round con-
tour to the arms. Ornamentcd skirts is
rather serious question, and requires an
especial consideration. We shall, however.
conflne ourselves at the present moment to
survey of general effects. FIounccs and
tucks which rise high in tie skirt are verv
unsuitable to short persons; they divide a
little figure into too many compartments,
and destroy symmetrical proportion; to the
tall women, on the contrary, they add grace
and dignity. Dresses made half high are
extremely unbecoming. They should either
be cut low, as it is termed, or quite round
the throat. The latlenstyle is simple and
elegant; the throat rises wcll-defined and
swan like, giving to the head an indepen-
dent and spirited air. Wien occasion ex
acts that the corsage should be low, it is in
very bad taste to wear it too low, although,
it may afford opportunity of displaying a
handsome bust. In youth, it gives eyi-
dence OF the absence Of that modesty which
is one of its chief attractions and in ma.
turer years it is the indication of depravcd
coquetry, which checks the admiration il
invites. 1t is always requisite for LADY to
exert her own taste in the choice of form.
color, and style. and not leave it to tile fam
cy Of her dressmaker, as, although the Der
son she employs may be cminently qualified
Tor her profession, laday WHO possesses
any discernment can best judge Of what is
suitable to her style of countenance and fir-
ure. It would be difficult, if not impossi.
ble, 10 give definite set of rules as to the
eo1ors' to be preferred in dress, for the effect
of q tint is dependent upon various contin.
gencies, such as its position and the sur
rounding colors, and even the material of
which it consists. The color which, in
soft, delicate texture is agreeable and be.
coming, may, where employed in one of
coarscr description, become vulgar and of.
fensive to good taste. AS general rule,
there should be but one prevailing color, to
which all others should be adapted, either
by harmonizing with it, or, by q, judicious
contrast Sombre colors nerI,ans chow ,fr