New-York tribune., 1875-01-12
MERITS OF DRESS REFORM.

CHANGES IN THE MODE OF WEARING GARMENTS
THAT BRNEFrTED HEALrH-GoOD PHYSICAL DE-
yELoPMRNT SOMETHING TO BE PRiZEp.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: have read in your paper OF jan
letter ON the subject Of Dress Reform signed Con-
seryative Woman :" and as the press Is the medium
through which both conservatives and radicals may
speak trust that you will give place IN your coiuh
to the words cannot withhold
During the past two years have thoroughly tes'eu
the suggestions OF the dress reformers without
any change the style of my outer garments ana 10
their adoption and the exercise which could not ana no
woman can in other than hygenc garments, owe
my complete restoration TO health 1t is true that most
women care much for the appreciation OF their loved
ones in regard to dress certain extent this Is
right, but when the approval of the husband De-
comes opposed to physiological truth husoano anu
wife should be mutual helpers and educators IL SEN
sbe and physioiogicaly educated woman finds her nus
bands taste pervertedfor good taste is largely matter
OF cultureshe can do much to bring it up TO Natures
standard OF beauty To do this is not to look ike an
animated rag bag" nor to adopt singular, conspeu-
GUS costume but by conscienously making her dress
conformabe to Natures laws. adapting 1t to her own
STYLE instead Of taking the epidemic OF every trvisl
fashion: and II her husband be sensible. honest man,
he will give her the appreciation she deserves
The conservative correspondent says that dress Will
be as much abused as heretofore in spite OF reformers
abuses Of neglect TO educate girls 10
appreciate the Importance OF good physical develop
ment Children are born with just the capacity that
parents choose them. and when people come 10
see with themselves rests the destiny or those VINO
come after them, there will be moro radical men anu
women When girls are educated for some occupation
or profession they Will have less time to dress Tor
the appreciation OF men In general Reformers OF every
sort must be conspicuous Shall scott at them be-
cause they raise their voices Do they carry their
ideas too far o. The are slow and 1t requires
great effort TO move them little II women 90 not zee
ht adopt all their suggestions they may De gfeaty
hy giving tho most important thorough tesl
have never known woman to do this who was Wiling
TO return TO corsets and the weight OF clothing upon the
hips nor has she any right TO make her clothing 80
heavy that 1t is burden 20 her shoulders Inc drag
gng sensation upon the hips that most women e1perI
ence NAV entirely obvated at expense OF com ort
by prOperv snspendng the skirts from tue point OF the
shoulders Our friend objects TO waists aud suspend
ers would like TO send patterns OF both, and ask
her to give thtm falr ual, Tor am sure that had she
tried me nsuring both comfort and grace, part
Of her letter would not have been written Let women
In spirit of and candor and Ia the light
that physiology gives practically and thoroughly test
the reforms dress, adopting for themselves ana their
children whatever promotes the natural development OF
the body avoiding everything that interieTes with
Natures known requirements RADICAL WOMAN
Brooklyn, N. Y, Jan. 2, 1875.