Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-05-13
THOUGHTS ON FASHION.


Ladies, why will you, in the name of
all the saints, make such frights of your
selves2 Why will you persist in follow,
ing every absurd fashion (regardless of
personal defects) set by the French EN-
press, whose graceful person and noble
profile can bear almost any testf
Her mandate has gone forth that the
hair shall be drawn to the top Of the head
and there perched in solitary grandeur.
You Immediately fall in the ranks, and
every poor devoted hair is straightway
drawn up, thus exposing that part of the.
head and neck which, in almost every
case, is exceedingly ugly.
Woe to those necks, unmarked by
whiteness or symmetry, which suddenly
find themselves out for public inspection;
nevertheless, the fashion must be fol-
lowed
Look at the moving panorama on -
street, and note the want of Judgment
displayed by many. Here sweeps pom
derous dame to whom nature has been
over bountiful. Her dress is of black
MORE antique, with long trail. The trail,
as a matter of course, looks grimmed and
white with dust. The waist is plain and
sleeves tight; which becomes her well.
Just behind her comes an exceedingly
thin figure, whose waist and sleeves are
cut in the same style, but unlike the
dame before mentioned, she presents
most narrowing spectacle, the effect OF
which is frightened by the hair being
raised high on the head, and dress short.
Altogether her whole appearance seems
so very slight that one almost trembles
lest the next gust of wind should blow
her bodily away.
Here trips along little lady with
enormous Hoops, while there goes the
tall angular with scarcely any. But
look here comes three abreast. They
are apparently discussing some very in:
terestiRg topic, and in their earnestness
press closely together. Consequently
the unogending center hoop, failing to
find its legitimate space, makes grand
effort and finds it in the rear. Imagina-
ton can portray the shock received by the
pedestrians behind. But like the. stone
which becomes worn by constantly drop
ping water, so the most fastidious deli
cate natures become accustomed to
shocks of this kind. t.IN
Occasionally, however, the old nature
shows itself, and feelings of vexation
arise at the evident obliviousness of la
dies regarding the whereabouts of their
hoops, while gazing at the tempting dis
play in the shop windows, or when get
ting in or out of cars.
Here also cap be seen some of the
masculine portion of the community
crowded into those detestable articles
lin the eyes of the LADIES', tight pants
The countenances of these martyrs have
usually an anxious, troubled look, owing
doubtless to impeded circulation. Pity
ing glances meet them on every side,
saying as plainly as eyes can speak,
What simpleton this man must be to
thus discard the graceful pantsnow worn
for these monstroslties. But simple
tons have abounded since the days of the
food; be not surprised, therefore, if
many of the tall, thin gentlemen OF our
city adopt them.
Good taste in dress is no doubt great
accomplishment. We consider it, in
fact, an absolute duty for each one to
render herself as attractive as possible,
always remembering to have her expen-
ditures consistent with her means, never
beyond.
Experience proves that let husbands
grumble as they may, there are few
among them who would not rather see
his wife neatly and tastily dressed than
clad in uncouth and unbecOming gar
ments.
We therefore beg of you, ladies, to
exercise judgment, and when fashion
presents itself wholly unsuited to you,
have the independence to ignore it, thus
saving yourself the modification of re-
sembling the grotesque figures to be
seen any day on Canal street