The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-09-09

en- frOm Ine ReV0lutlOn
The art of dress must be founded
on nature. We may assume, with
out fear of contradiction, that the
dress must have sleeves, or at least
aperatures for the arms. 1t would
seem to be almost an equally self
evident proposition that the lower
part of the dress should be bifurcate,
and recognize natures endowment
of the human species with legs.
AS regards the mechanical prin-
ciples of dress, it should obviously
fit closely where there is the great
est motion, especially the limbs as
you approach the hands and feet.
But while the hands may often be
sufficiently disengaged to allow the
ornament of drapery sleeves, this is
never possible for the feet when in
use. 1t will be found by experiment
that any loose clothing below the
knee, whether unifurcate or bifurcate,
is serious impeachment to locomotion.
AS fitness prescribes beauty, the
pantalette about the ankles is, there
fore, always an abomination, and, to
the unsophisticated eye, the ''Broom-
err" or understanding costume
would doubtless appear even more
ludicrous and ungainly than the
Bloomer.
In the same manner the masculine
pantaloon of the present day, loose
below the knee, is an obstruction to
motion, as well as untidy, wasteful,
and a deformity. The present loose
leggin and detestable masculine boot
must ultimately be replaced with
CATERS and shoes or closeftting
boots, for reasons of economy eff
cheney or elegance.
No female costume is more beauti-
full in this department than that Of
the Swiss peasant, which consists
simply Of ornamented stockings
and pretty shoes, with skirt reach
ing only to the knees. This allows
freedom of motion, and is good for
working, or walking, or dancing.
The Swiss stocking in winter obvi-
ously can be supplemented with the
gaiter, fur adorned, and made either
of the most durable or elegant mater
ial.
Not only for freedom, however
but for beauty, the contour Of the
leg, which is not inferior to- that of
the arm, should be preserved in
dress. How beautiful, often the
simple costume of young girls,
before it is considered proper to
smother their limbs under an extin-
guisher
The conventional page of our the
aires furnishes some suggestion for
the ensemble of new female costume,
including the full, slashed silken
trowsers above the knee.
For the upper part Of the dress,
the Grecian tunic and underyest is
always beautiful. There are many
who may insist, at least in the earli-
est stages of this reform, that the
skirt of the female dress shall be dis
tinguished from the masculine coat
by closure. IF this concession to
the current ideas or prejudices of the
western nations be necessary, en-
phatic protest should be made
against the frock, which is a thing
with belt, cutting the figure in two
and obliterating all semblance of the
natural lines and curves of the hui
man form divine. If the closed skirt
is to be adopted as a part of the new
costume, let us have the Gabrielle
with the skirt just to the knee. Fol
a working dress for either sex, q
blouse with belt may be worn, but
this is not properly costume
The new head-dress will in nc
event be bonnet, nor a stove-pipe
hat. But there is an infinite range
of graceful hats and head gear,
French and otherwise, to select from.
The costume proper of the sexes
must vary, we think not only on
account Of marked differences in
physical confirmation, but also II
accordance with the diverse proper
tons of strength and beauty awarded
to the sexes and the use thence pro.
ceeding. Thus the female dress will