National Republican., 1880-12-30
SOMETHING ABOUT swALLow-TAiLs.
How "a Man should Dress Himself for New
Years Day Calls.

An ordinarily intelligent woman who has had any
experience in society is never at u loss TO know
how to dress, though sometimes she may be unable
to crafty her tastes. With gentlemen. though
fashions for males seldom vary, and their choice
between styles H. limited what shall wear" Is
frequently most perplcNins question, Mr.. u.
Sewers writes 10 THE REPUBLICAN, nnd prOpounds
the following inquiry:
"Wlll white Kid gloves he ont of style with full
dress In making calls on New Years bay? 4
friend who ought 10 know has Informed me that
they Will. win you not require your society man
to give some information OH this point to those of
your readers who desire to be neither out OF the
world nor out ofthe fashion"
White kids, or kids of light shade, were, until
recently, considered Just rs much part of full
dress tho llghtcolored crayat or the broadcloth
swallow.tall cont. During the last year, however,
It has become fashionable for gentlemen to appear
on full.drcSs occasions without the gloves. The
expense of procuring q puir of white kids on
every occasion where full dress was required prob
ably brought about this amendment to the laws
Of fashion White gloves are not now necessary
alt hOugh they are not considered out of place. So
Mr.. Sewers can wear his white kids without sub
jccling himself to criticism.
Mr.. Sewers query brings up another broader
question, and one which is frequently asked
That is how should man dress for New Years
calls? Full dress is always in order at any formal
gathering where ladies are present, II Is alwsys In
order when gentleman Httends any entertain.
mcnt given by ladies, Fad of course Is In order
when lady holds New Years reception. II Is
quite impossible TO mention any formal social
even, where full.dreSs suit would be innppro-
priats II does not follow however, that It II al.
WAYS necessary tO wear u swallow-lnil cont and
white tic and gloves on such occasions.
No rule has ever been established fixing any
particular style Of dress for attending New Years
bays receptions in this country, except the mega.
tive rule hut full drcs, Is not innppruprlatc The
most faithful yOtarieS of fashion are not disposed
to favor nlll-dre's suits for any entertainments re-
Ceptiun or other social event not uCcurTingin the
evening, An approved style of dress for morning
Ieccp. ions and Tor New Years receptions Is black
lrGci coat and vest tie or Cyuyat Of medium color
and pants OF color not lighter than the tea
style about halfway between n tull.drcss suit and
q gcutlGman's business suit II may be stated as q
rule that the only actual requirement OF u New
Years Day caller Is Tint he shall be Clcanly and
neatly attred, ana that his department shall ho
that OF gentleman lie must seek toRYOid wear.
ing anything that will attract special attention 10
himself
A man frequently feels uncomfortable IN dress
suit because i makes him conspicuous and that
II very likely TO be the case with the New Years
caller Who dons a swallowtall cont There are
no recognized leaders 10 set the fashions for gen.
tlemen rs Is The case With the gentler scN so the
people themselves make the fashions for male at.
tire, The New Years Day reception has been
sort of democratic institution, the rich and poor,
the high nnd low alike being supposed TO throw
open their houses for the entertainment of their
friends and any unusual ceremony or lOrmality,
either on The part of hostess or her guests would
be voted out Of place on such day,