Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-10-04
Rational Dress" for Men.

("A Woman's' Letter in the London Times.l
Men have their say on women's dress, and
decide automatically what is or is not ira
tional dress; will you permit lady to rep
resent that mems costume is by no means
perfect, and admits Of much Improvement
as regards health, convenience and grace
1t is rather difficult to speak out plainly
enough to substantate my assertion as to
the first point but doctors will testify that
there has been a great increase Of late
among young men Of liver and kidney dis
ease, not to speak of other delicate parts.
This is owing, believe, to the fashion which
has prevailed Of small ut.away coats, leav-
ing loins and stomach unwrapt, save by the
tight and often thin trousers. Older men
frequently suffer from chill taken from sit
ting on damp seats, or cold stone, from
which woman would be protected BY her
more voluminous garments. The absurdity
of the open coat and waistcoat, turned back
just where the throat and chest need cover
ing, is more generally recognized The prac-
tics OF wearing, in winter, waistcoats cut
very high, and the constant argument for
wearing beard, "to protect my throat"
show that it is felt, though not often ac-
knowledged in speech. The large expanse
of starched shirt front, held together, per-
haps, with but one small stud, is ridiculous
in every way. II is sham, for most, if not
all, wearers supplement its deficiency bv a
warm vest below, which cannot, however,
quite exclude searching wind, or keen
night air, after leaving warm room, from
reaching the lungs. 1t is not beautiful in
itself, it becomes easily soied. needs fire.
quent repair, costly washing, and seldom sets
as it should. The stiff collar, rasping chin,
cheeks and throat, is most inconvenent in
every way
\ far more rati )nal dress for men was the
douhlet fastening to the throat and cover
ing the thighs, with soft band or turn-down
collar. We come now to the crucial gar
ment so recommended for women's imita-
tion-trousers. If these be so adapted to
allow the free use of the limbs, how is it
that men wear knickerbockers for bicycling,
rowing, running, and climbing? once
| heard gentleman. who had been to fancy
bali in hose and silk stockings, exclaim,
'How jolly it is to dance without trousers" 4"
| suppose he found they fettered freedom of
action. The chief difference between mans
dress and woman's is the principle Of sus-
pension. The former uses braces, and
hangs all the weight on the shoulders, the
latter uses corsets, aud suspends from the
waist. Braces would not do for women.
they would cut and pain the delicate flesh of
the breasts. DO they suit men ? Is it not
curious that in all active exercises they are
discarded and belt substituted can
easily imagine many inconvenierices attend
ing their use, but content myself with sug-
gesting the question. have said nothn.
about the grace Of mems dress-every one
must allow il might be more ornamental
No one who has ever seen a stout, elderly
man without his coat can help shuddering at
the thought of matron, stout and elderly.
clad in the dual garment, with only frill
round the wastband of the victorious trou-
sers, valuable to the morphologist as show
ing the course of evolution Men and wo-
men are structurally different in make and
physical constitution. am 50 benighted as
to think their dress should also differ to suit
their needs