New-York tribune., 1875-11-13
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
CONCERNING DRESS.

SIMPLICITY OF DRkoo-CHoiCE of MAiH"iA
FOR A GARMfNT.
TO the Edttor Of The Trtbune'
SIR: The last two years through which we have
lust ssed have not been without some valuaple ie"
i'm retrepchment. There has been less money 10 sphu
and results prove that the social ana falnly iacno'
can be so managed produce the same amount oil nap
plnes which heretofore has required twice the amount OF
xpeudturo IL Is not always that large eaEages 90 tho
most harm these are easily and relneded; Out i
perceptble evils hard to cure. 80 habits IN the ly
economy although wholly non-esSentlal 10 comor"
hecomo necessities Probably in no one thihg nave 'no
financial troubles of the last made greater change
than In ades dress which could be so easily mace
and should this be permanent REFORM tho much'aiAeu
~ manic of 1873 might well be considered an meal
cuable blessing. 80
It's true that the term reform. in connection with
ladies' costume Is very offensive, and justly So ie"
radical women have filed the newspapers with sucn ap
surd pictures OF what to wear, short sktts' SNORT '
which has grace and beauty a. TO MAKE
,be e,rcr nonstrosity and with this result only, that
the devoees of a,hion have added another ro OF pun
with every fresh effort of these wOud-Do reior"c's
Nevertheless the amount OF thought tlme' ana money
our countrywOmen expend upon outer adorhnleht 10
something amazing and from the moral as well rs
economical view of the subject sensible women ought
not TO close their eyos the fact The mischet OF ah
org,nIzation for prescribed dress, in connection Win
hvpcnic laws has made ii difficult To touch upon TINS
subject without SAVIOR of strong nhueuheSs' oi' '
ronrtaton American women have attained for e1trava
gapce abroad as well at home the statistics wm'h
come from our modises, the needless, nartisc' ana
Haunting display which fill our churches ana thronS
our streets, ought to bring some sober reflection
II ia because women should desire to be attractive Is
because they should dress with 1t is because ther
love of beauty needs culture that they should cease 10 DO
deformtios and cultivate only what VIII add TO- not uc
tract FROM their Inherent ideal charm Let ladies' wear
f,.r1
and velvet and suitable as becoming IN the
place but let there bo perfect adapabity OF the means
TO the end which in no casa allows undue attention
from the wearcr to the worn" Educaton from 'ho
cradle false extent upon this subject ana tno
great danger is with the young. one OF tho moss '
tingushed and accomplished gentlemen OF our city sur
prised party of ladies Few evenings since pJ con
demnnc he display OF fancifuydressed dolls In our
shop windows and when asked why, said, very JUSTLY
meant 'educati0n;" and here Whcre
great secret lies. Walk through tho ParAs
and see the little children, AZ pure ana
beautiful that ornament seems mockery Watch thein
display their rich embroidery their costly sashe' vevet'
and ermincs Go to fashionable chldrens party and see
the pretty creatures OF three years and upward ar
raved in silks with lace oyerdresses, whte kids costly
fans and diamonds their II Is vain TO say they
are loo younc TO know difference for they DO ana
max abundant though sad demonstration OF their
knowledge IL there not some danger ot placing phy IL
cal advantage over mental, moral and intelectuali
n,v cam f 10 crplc the loveest graces and charms
Of yonth simplicity aud naturaness, by creating love
for what Is superficial and artilclalf
II costly expenditure Ia ever allowed In dress III cer
tainly is not with young women, many OF whom-with
sorrow be il ssdscem to promenade our streets as 40
ver.cmcnts OF the latest fashions or, what is more hu
initiating STILL to parade the family duess. Those young
ladies' hold their personal charms at great discount VINO
denend upo the ssmakers rather than their own
graces OF mind and manners. And upon TINS suDJecs
young women are very apt to be mistaken III at the
end of the wear they could full inventory OF whero-
whal they have been clothed, there would dOuDtcss III
many eases be great surprise. When handsome walk
ing dress Is considered cheap at 800, ana visiting COS
tune not extrayagant at nearly twice that sum-
when outside garments cost from 500 to S40O,
bonnets $.5 and $50 and oil these have to be
suupcd TO meet the wants OF each both for home
and street balls dinners operas with their endless ac-
compartment OF lace and jewels etc. 10 - easy To see
why brilliant young men who have put thelr money
into their brains and blessing the world with the re-
suit do not marry young il at all There are many noble
exceptions mistake many OF orr young ladies make
is that erpense requisite to personal attraction Ar
ttic effect OF color, form, harmony can Just as Wci DO
attained in inexpensive rs costly material and the high
est art dress to al ust color. ior and ornament
10 the individual as to Produce the most graceful
result Wnv is it that morning costumes are often SO
much more admired than the studied toilets OF oven
ing except that in the one case you see NOR oi lie M
ucous grace OF the and le,s of the modises
ekll Why at our fashionable summer resorts, or a an
evening bali those Young ladies most noticeable VINO
are dressed with the soyeiest simplicity except ON te
prlncipc that beauty unalOrncd r adorned the most
If the dcstion o, expense great one that or timo
and thought 10 ar greater and more deinorazhS III tue
result.
II can in no way be desirable practical TO suggest
any arbitrary rule OF what women are to wear or no"
they are to wear IT, This ne left to individual taste
circumstance and conscience. Neither Is IL matter ot
importance to the rich cconomize but let DO remen-
bcrcd that TO who have II commanded that they
should be example 10 those VINO nave not anu herein
lies grand opportunity
The Il v who rides in her luxurious carriage and has
no limitations Of purse remember that fashion Is
tran and that it those es abo many day. OF hard
work ferby to initiate costly attire 1t Is safe to say
that for onethird tho our American women, as n
rule could be as comfortably and atractiyely dressed
n, they now are. Oncthisd more tno and Thought Tor
higher use; ethlrd more money for n0bier ends.
There would be something for charty's sake,
something for the friend in need and time
for those pursuits which are abandoned
Nnt many years of the great men OF our country
Introduced his bride 10 one OF orr most fShlonape
cities. The coming event vas the cause ot hHth sur IN
the dIr--ru1kug department. II wa. most cei-cllc
c,rt and The iisniay unworthy the time and money
.ryoOrl or silks rl5t' dhd Jewels shoac IN great
.rirud3r. The duspirinus moment arrived, ami Ml1tm
was pre ntcd: bIt alas! size wore only simple Whue
muslin without ornament. anu was altogether the most
Distinguished a woman present from MAY 10 D'lppcr
No v,5 rcigunc belle. and on no occasion appeared IN
onv ether than simple dress OF white. Her action f9r
tvo y,ar, at least established IN that cty great sim
pc.ty or evening costume among mo 9ol-rl i'.,s. I
II thi. O.cung Oi oar Winters NeiF are there
not SONIC bee found who from tnc pnuurNtc OF thtc
social position, VIII ohocg!uly folio" ths hoo.e e--
Xsjs-iorl Nov. ., 1873
CITY JOURNALS ~ THE INTERIOR
rome EdttOr Of The TFi6WHe