The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-14
MONDAY EVENING, JULY ID, 1873.
wonan's Dress.

An exceedingly able and interesting re-
port upon this subject comes to us from the
New England Woman's Club. 1t is so
Just, comprehensive and moderate in its
views as to challenge the respectful atten-
ton of all who have not become thoroughly
corrupted and reckless by indulgence in
the supremest and most ridiculous follies
of modern fashion. The report does not
propose any positive mode of dress. 1t
seeks rather to arouse attention to the
great abuses of the present system and in
vites conference among women. 1t is
principally occupied with a powerful ex-
posture ofthe unhealthfulness, wastefulness,
inconvenience, and immortality OF the pres
cnt system. Evidently the Bloomer cos
tune is not the coming dress, for it is gen.
orally rejected. What it shall be, women
of taste and sense should decide.
AT present the shopkeepers make the
fashions. The great aim is, in every
change, to put out Of use all garments
partially worn. The change must
be so radical that the dress or hat of three
months ago will be made ridiculous now
IL the change were slight one, old gar
ments might be altered by skillful hands.
This would not suit the people who live by
making dresses and selling goods. So the
most outre and ridiculous forms of dress
are introduced. Thus we have at one
time perchance modest and appropriate
style of dress, quite sure to be succeeded
by something fantastic and extravagant
in few months after its introduction.
These oscillations of the dress pendulum
resemble the stock market in Wall street.
The bulls and bears of fashion operate in
the same way and are controlled by the
same motives. Every new fashion is a
trick of the trade, designed 10 fleece the
vain and the improvident.
The New England club is composed O
earnest, sensible, and practical women,
VINO seek to elevate and ennoble their sex
everywhere.
They call attention now to this reform as
one Of the first steps to progress, and they
are very right. Every man who has to
support family in society feels intensely
the burden of dressing them. Where
there are several of them in one family
the demands upon moderate purs,
are extensive. Add to this the waste
of time, and the complete absorption of al
woman's activities, and the total loss is yer,
great. The influence Of drink or the ruin
Gus fascination of gambling is scarcel
more debasing to man than the love of dres
in its extreme Development is anon
women.
Exclusive devotion to personal adorn
ment produces q most unlovely character
Uponman, too, the influence is wholly bad
Thousands of our best young men are keep
from marrying because they dare not as
sumo the burden of supporting wife &C
cording to the popular style.
For young man not to marry IS yer,
sad thing, and there is always mate VIII
is also compelled to be single, which
quite as bad. This is the fruitful source Q
immortality, and society suffers irreparabl
loss in the diminution of its families
Thousands of young men become dissipate,
and lost, who would make good husband
and fathers, and whose celbacy may
directly traced to this cause. This .repoI
ought to have powerful influence upo
the country, and aid in reforming tn
present unhealthy, immoral and expensiv
style Of dress among women.