Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-12-24
For the VERMONT FARMER
Fashion.

It's quite the style of the present day to-
censure and complain of the fashions in la
dies attire. 1t seems to be a privileged
topic Of discussion in all the newspapers,
and even the pulpit is loud in its denuncia-
tons against the folly and extravaganza of
the feminine portion of the congregation,
and of the world at large. This is all well !;
no fault is found with clergy or editors for
expressing their opinions upon a subject
which at the least calculation occupies the
minds and lives of the majority of the la
dies; but the question naturally arises,
What good do they do? Who ever knew
lady to make any change in her attire in
consequence Of any preaching she ever heard,
or any sarcastic ridicule she may read ?
And yet thorough reform is needed.
Example is what will effect a reformation,
and wiz ere are the ladies who have resolution
and will sufficient to make the desired change
or Improvement In many countries on the
Eastern continent there is national costume
that is fitted for the women, in aecordan
with the climate and employment of the in
habitants All must allow that this is
sensible fashion, and were the ladies of
America to establish costume in like man
ner, suited to the variableness of our eli
mate, it would be blessing to not only the
present generation but posterity.
And who shall commence this movement
Men would not fancy seeing their wives or
their daughters come into public gatherings
dressed 50 differently from their associates
that they would be rendered conspicuous for
their singulsrity; no indeed! Rather than
do that they are willing to run in debt and
sacrifice all their bright prospects Of inde-
pendence. They have not moral stamina
enough to pass such an ordeal, even if the
ladies had courage to undertake it. Our
merchant princes, our spectators, lawyers
or doctors, none of them see any necessity
for reform. They enjoy decking their
wives and children in gold and costly rail-
ment they can do it easily enough, and the
more extravagant the outlay the better
They have no other use for their money.
Then come those who really cannot afford
superhuities but must not show to the world
that their finances are limited. 1t would in-
jure their reputation in the commercial
world. Yes; their families must dress we'll,
so as to keep up appearances. They are not
the ones to make a movement for retrench-
ment. The poor, laboring females do not
like to be singled out, by economical dress,
from the world, lest the opprobrious finger
of scorn should direct public attention to the
difference, and alas many q pure maiden
has fallen from her high estate simply by
the love of dress and display.
These thiBgs ought not SO to be Hu,
manity calls for a reform Why is it worse
for the daughter of working man to appear
in the street with patched sleeve or faded
dress than for her brother to 60 with patches
or perhaps rags on his pants or jacket2 Il
she better or smarter than the boys? There
is one class Of people who might if they
chose turn the tide of affairs. They, as a
body, might rule the nation. If with energy
they determined to do it. They are strong
all through the length and breadth of our
country, speak of the oranges. Mothers,
wives and daughters, this is a work for you
to do. Your husbands, sons and fathers
could and would sustain you if you under.
took the work, and of all the population Of
this land at the present time, you alone
have the power to work this change
Show your independence and resolution in
union there is strength, and how can women
do better or nobler work than this? Taste
and comfort, beauty aud convenience are not
to be sacrificed and health, plenty and prosper
ity will be the result There is no item Of
fashionable dress, that cannot be changed
with Improvement Skirts, trailing like
posterior mops. can be most comfortably re-
trenched; ruffles tucks and founces are SUI
perAuous; head gear could be made more
comfortable and prettier too. Shoes any
father and mother can tell what should be
done with regard to them. The wooden sabot'
Of Siberia are more comfortable and suitable
for New England, than those manufactured
for the ladies at the present time. Consump-
ton, neuralgia and the whole catalogue OF
ills that render the females Of America Sc
pale and delicate, are the natural result Of
fashion in shoes. There is DO use in emu
merating or dissectiDg the fashions common
sense can easily see the evils, and the same
GOd-bestowed faculty can provide remedy
Shall it be done What reform can be Of
greater value to suffering humanity, to i'm
poverlshed families, than this Think well
OF 1t, aud all honor to the oranges who dare
take an advancing movement in reform il
dress and fashion, FARMRRs WIFR.