The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-05
DRESS REFORM,

Among the freaks Of those who set and fol.
low the fashions and who consent through
weary years to torture themselves with every
new absurdity that arises, is said to be fancy
for absolute plainness and simplicity. The
same ladies who fourisbed in all the dyes,
hues and colors Of butterflies, peacocks, flow
ers and rainbows combined into figures of
infinite variety, on stuffs Of varying cost and
texture, have all at once turned away from
their gaudy fayorites to assume plain gar
ments, made of plain fabrics, as simple, neat
and natural as they can be made. Even
princesses have stamped extravaganza with
the brand of vulgarity, and titled danes have
appeared in lordly assemblies in attire pre-
pared in their own households, simple in
shape and economical in material. The new
and monumental style will be widely copied
on both continents and for a season, or per-
haps two, we may have the satisfaction of
seeing Am srican women, who can aft ord lux
ury in dress. attired in sober, plain and unos-
tentahous fabrics adapted to weather, occa-
sion and climate-neat, comfortable healthy
and free from needless waste of material.
1t will only be a fashion, however, and like
other fashions have its brief career, to be fol-
lowed by something quite as costly, as gro
tesque, as hideous and as inartistic as any of
the hundred fashions of the last fifty years.
The vain and foolish will again strive to find
ways in which to gain notice and distinction
on account of dress, by change of shapes and
cut, by obtaining fabrics of extraordinary
fineness, by change Of mountings and trim
mings, and all the countless tricks known to
milliners
A permanent return to simplicity, economy
and common sense must be preceded by a great
change in the ideas of those classes who rule
supremely in the matter of fashion. If the
titled, educated and wealthy ladies of France
should form solemn league and covenant,
pledging themselves to dispense with luxurious
and other extravaganza for the sake |
OF setting wholesome example to the middle |
classes and the poor, for the sake of saving |
the weak and tempted Of their sex from their |
strongest incentive to vice, which is the love
OF costly dress, for the sake of adding to the |
wealth and defensive strength of the Repub-
lie and for the sake of promoting general
then we might hope tina. the new
fashion of economical simplicity would be
permanent. So, too, in our own country We
should welcome general, concerted and per-
'evering resumption of plainness and
economy in female attire as the sure and
Necessary outgrowth of reform in moral
sentiment.
When the women of America are wise
nough to discover the nature, scope and
mount of the damage done by the extrava-
ant, the gddy. the vain, the thoughtless
nd the prodigal of their sex, and when the
ich become generous enough to forego the
luxury of dress for the sake of their less for
innate sisters, then we might expect them to
ebel against the freaks of mantua-makers
urn up their FASH on books, lay away their
audy silks and laces and appear before the
7orld once more in such clothing as comfort
equires and good taste suggests.
We expect nothing of the kidd. Fashions o
re started fer the sake of distinction, and
aey are continued until they are SO aped and =
opted by the vulgar multitude, as to cease to
g distinction, and are then abandoned for
omething new. 1t is a constant race and
.ruggle with the devotees of fashion to dress
, such a manner that the poor or moderate
| means can not follow them.