The Red Cloud chief., 1881-05-19
Personal Taste and Skill In Woman's
Dress.

Never did fashion give such scope TO
individual fancy and taste rs at the
present. In studying the past, each
century and epoch shows 4 characters
tic style of dress appropriate TO its time
and peculiar TO its people. At the pres
ent day there exists no longer style in
dress. and il is almost impossible To be
out of style, as eccentric, old fashioned
and even ugly garments are in the
height OF favor, provided they are put
on in an artistic manner And in order
10 be conspicuous now-a-days, n lady has
10 be a downright dowdy; and 4 dowdy
in this day and generation has not the
shadow of an excuse for herself. The
surprising rates at which beautiful and
fashionable dress goods 4 be pur-
chased puts it in the power OF any lady
who dresses at all to dress well. She
cannot wen plead as an excuse the high
rates OF the dressmakers, for she a be
her own dressmaker. Stylish and grace
full patterns of every description, from
a slipper to a sweeping cap. can be pur-
chased for : mere triile. Large agencies
are constantly sending out the latest
and most desirable models of dresses.
wraps and indeed of every article OF APP
parel worn. These patterns are easily
adjusted and simple in construction.
and the envied and peculiar twist
given by the dressmaker is put into the
lady's hands by divers marks,
notches and other unm;stakable printed
directions showing just where and how
the forms are Joined, all of which are
easily followed. and advice is even given
as to the selection of material II trim
mings. IL a lady chooses, however, she
can exercise her own taste and ingenuity
in drapery and garnishing her toilet.
This will, ofcourse, make the garment all
the more novel aud attractive. provided
the lady has an artistic eye for combi-
nation and effect, but she would be
safer. provided she yere not absolutely
certain as to her poNrr fHllsten TO al
vice than to give scope IL bad taste. al
though glaring and inharmonious toilets
are now the exception and not the rulc,
American ladies' are noted for their de-
yelopmcnt of great skill and taste in the
art of dress, and they not only show
skill but wisdom. for this is a sensible
generation. say what the grumblers will
TO the contrary. The vogue OF cTampcd
waists and thin-soled shoes has happily
passed away. and gone TO be numbered
with the vain and foolish fashions relig-
g;ously followed by Il grandm6thers,
who, though wise in their generation in
countless ways, were yet slaves To the
i;ckle godd m, and it is a mattcr'of con-
graduation Eat the grandchildren have
come to be ,rtspendent. reasoning be-
ings, with mines and tastes and toile.s
of their own. A lady need not be rich
to dress in taste and even elegance.
She need not try to make a Queen Eli
zabeth or Eugene of herself, but one
best" black silk dress will keep her
in a ladyIike and refined appearance rs
long as the dress lasts There are Il
thousand and one ways of making pref
ty and fresh toilets, with n rich dress
to do duty as a foundation for varying
toilets; for much of the attractiyeneSS
and elegance of 4 lady's dress is made
up of triiiing accessions in the shape of
pretty ruffS and frillS, delicate and fresh
ribbons, dainty laceS and charming lit
tie overdresse5, iichus and cag and
last Us ~. least there ga c51,1!5 Eden
of flowers which may be converted into
hats and capes. perureS. garlands and
wreaths. wherewith to transform a dull,
grave toilet into a bright beautiful dress
1T for Queen Flora herself.-Cor. n. ].
Post.