The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-08-17
woMEN,s THINGS.
The Need Of Reform in Wcmen's
Dfess. .


So much has been said about the
need of a reform in woman's dress
that it may be made more convenient
better adapted to the uses of life, more
heal:hful and less burdensome-that
We propose at once to offer a scheme
for its Improvement, in the hope that
others more able will give us other
practical directions that may be of
greater. value,
That our dress may be more4health
full, it must first be made some looser
about, the waist. That it may he
more convenient, several garments
should be united in one, and made
more nearly selfadjusting. And that
it may the less interfere with free
bodily motion, it should be less vol
luminous. ~
Woven wooden under-garments
can already be procured hat cl6the
the body from neck to heels. One
set or several can be worn according
to the climate or the vitality of the
wearer.
The uses of several separate gar
ments might be united in this way
Above the bond of the usual under
garment might be added the orna-
mentation and.collar of the under
handkerchief; at the armhole, long
sleeves would secure greater warmth ;
cuffs decorate the wrist and trim
ming at the bottom make it supply
-ths place of an undcr-skirt.
Over this may be a garment fitted
to the form easily but closely resem
bling the ordinary high corsage as
short on the shoulders and nearly as
high as a gentleman's vest sleeveless,
a ~1d-covcring the hips like a basque.
Upon its lower edge shoDld be fasten-
e a skirt made of some light, warm.
and stiff material, with one or two
deep hounces to sustain the upper
drapery. These, with the ordinary
short walking-skirt and basque of
polonnaise, might complete a cos; nme
at once simple; convenient, healihful
and elegant.
Waterproof hooded cloaks, round
hats and shoes with broad, low heels,
leave little to be desired in their way.
If The vest and aided skirt were
made fancifully the outer dress might
on many occasions he laid aside while
i ldocrs. The upper part might sim
ulate an oriental bodice, be covered
with embroidery, or he made of some
colored cloth, that should pref
tily contrast with the soberer color of
the outer dress /; being visible, perhaps
Just insi lie the pointed necks of the
prevailing style. The founced and
detached skirt should match in trim
The vest basque, fitting easily to
allow the full imitation Of the lungs,
be made even to hold the
weight of the outer skirt by having a
row of buttons at the waist line. II
would supercede the corset, and
would suspend all the weight but
that Of the knitted ander-garnents
from the shoulder.
Let it be remembered that the nee
essary warmth is mainly supplied by
close fitting garments, that
% lars and cuffs are always in plac",
the next garment may be comeiy
and even beautiful as an indoor
working dress, that the outer dress
may be light or heavy, suitable for
walking or receiving visits, put on or
off with almost the dispatch our broth
ers assume or lay aside their coats,
and it will be evident that a lady that
may be always presentable without
the quantity of clothes that now en-
gross SO much time, cause so much
annoyance, create SO often i'll temper
and chagrin and constantly impede
health and usefulness.
To the foregoing plan we invite
he attention OF those who wish to
woman, who desire to prepare
ler for greater usefulness, who earn
long that the average Of Ameri-
an women may be increased, and al
o of those who to these benefits
add. the crown of artistic
race