The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-03-26
Wedding Garments, Table Manners,
and the Privileges of the Engaged.


Several more questions regarding social
propricties are submitted to us by CORE
spondents The first Is as to the costume
which n man should wear at his wedding.
Great doubt as to that matter seems to
disturb the minds of many young fellows in
different parts of the country who are about
to enter into the blissful state of matrimony
The subject Is one about which, very likely,
they are ashamed to seek advice from their
friends, and they may distrust the judg-
ment Of their tailors in an affair Of so
great Importance and so much delicacy
With a bride, however, it is different. Her
wedding costume is subject for mature
consideration and long discussion with
friends and the mantua maker. She is not
afraid to show interest in it. But the proud
and self-reliant groom would not allow it to
appear that matters so trivial were occupy
ing his thoughts.
Yet II man gives no great care to his
clothes at any other time, he is usually anx-
ious that they should be both becoming and
appropriate on the occasion of his marriage
He wants to appear to advantage when he
stands by the side Of his bride and exchanges
the VOWS with her. At best, the situation is
a trying one for him, even if he is a man
of high courage and remarkable self-con-
troll. But he can stand the parade with
more equauimity if he feels that he is look
ing well; that his clothes are just what they
ought to be-.
Fortunately for bridegrooms custom has
settled their wedding dress with go great par
ticulurity that they need have no doubts as
to what it should be, and therefore the follow
ing question can be readily answered.
81 am expecting to be married in about two weeks.
and come to you for advice TO what shall Is
anything appropriate but plain black viii coat and
vest of black and lighter pantaoons be allowable and
how should they be cutl am % years OF age. but
have never had chance to to but wedding. aud
don't know what is appropriate 80 ."
What is it to be, II day wedding or an even
ing wedding If the ceremony is to be in
the daytime, n black coat, or one Of some
very dark shade bordering on black, is the
correct thing. The waistcoat may be of the
same material, though now fancy-colored
wai7tcoats are worn by some young fellows,
with double-breasted frock coats OF the usual
black OF dark cloth. The trousers-never
| talk of pantalOonS-ShOuld be OF gray stuff
with small stripes, or of some other unobtru-
svc shade Let them be cut pretty close to
the legs if you wish to keep in the fashion.
| If you are to be married in the evening,
however, put on dress suit. That conven-
| lent costume, whose cut need not be
changed to suit the slight variations of
/ fashion, is the thing for every sort of even
ing entertainment aud ceremony. 4 white
! lawn nccktic, about an inch broad, il, of
| course, what you will need IN the evening
| but If the wedding takes place in the day
! time, you will have a chance to exercise your
! taste in the selection of your cravat Pay
due regard to your complexion, and rcmem-
| Der that, as the waistcoat will be cut very
| high, the cravat is really the part of your
wardrobe which will do most to set the whole
| Off. Unless that Is becoming in color and
harmonious, or of happy contrasting
shade, your costume will be unsatisfactory
TO every tasteful observer. Avoid all ilaring
colors, and display only modest scarf pin
| So arrayed, We doubt not that our friend
| will go through the wedding ceremony in q
way to earn the approval of all who assist
| But, after all, how he proceeds after he has
| been married is the essential matter
strange question is now debated in one
Of the boarding houses of tho city 1t is this
! IA II customary, or even allowable among decon
people to u-e knife to convey food into mouth
once saw in somo book etiquette III" statement that
| none but a low bred clown wuuld knife Sor sucl
purpose Some Of orr boarirrs state 1t is optional
By no means sign of ~ breeding We leave 1t to you
The purpose of knife is to cut food; that
OF Il fork TO convey the food to the mouth
! We advise our boarding house friends to
bear this distinction in mind, because there
Is undoubtedly II prejudice against people
who fail to regard it. They may not be low
bred clowns, but they certainly have not
been bred properly, so far as table manners
are concerned. Besides, it is much easier t.
eat with fork, while you might cut your
mouth with knife sharp enough to perform
its proper purposes. However. 1t may b,