The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-21
MEMS AND WoMEN's TRADES.

A fashion writer in New York, in a recent
letter. says there is rage among ladies for
tailor-made suits. The writer further de-
clares that it would not be very wild con-
clusion that "tailors are bound to supplant
women as makers of fine woo,en costumes"
The writer says
'These tailor-made suits are growing more
and more in favor. They have now arrived
at perfection in the way of fit and finish.
They can be told at glance. Such dresses
are very simply made, and those without
whalebones or trimming are in high favor,
though not available for all figures. / sup
pose that the women dress-makers may save
| themselves by learning to cut and press gar
ments tailor fashion, but have as yet seen
| no indication of it."
There is danger here, beyond doubt; and
1T is not impossible that men tailors may yet
insinuate themselves into the good graces of
the fashion world of women so far as to be-
| come their dressmakers. Worth, of Paris,
is well-known example of this kind. The
result could but be unfortunate to women
who work with the needle. For while they
would doubtless continue to do the great
bulk of the sewing and making
of the very suits supposed TO
be made by men modistes, they would re-
ceive but niggardly per cent of the amount
paid for their making, while the tailors would
appropriate the lions share to themselves
There is no reason why women may not
make these suits, from measuring to picking
the last raveling from the completed cos
tune, as we'll as any man can do it. But if
the custom of employing men becomes a la
mode, there is no help for it, and women
dressmakers will be obliged to submit as
gracefully as possible.
But the idea suggests another that is be-
coming recognized more clearly every day.
If men can thus step over the boundary line
and take up an employment almost exclu-
sively in the hands of women why may not
the rule be reversed, and women enter upon
any field whatsoever that promises adequate
remuneration? Take, for example, the
practice of medicine. There is no
good reason why there should not
be as many women as men physicians, while
tnere are HutnDerleSS reasons why tHere
should be women in the profession, since
there are many cases for the treatment of
which they are peculiarly fitted, The field
of pharmacy is one in which women should
find employment, and there is no reason
why they should not succeed as we'll as any
body. These are but two of many long held
almost exclusively by men. There is no rea-
son why women should not fill them sas
acceptably and that too without sacrificing
any womanly trait. The law of compensa-
ton demands that the same freedom shall be
allowed women as men. When there is a
demand for women, or where women can
let them meet it without objection.
If they are restrained by sense of impro-
be thrown to the winds, with the assurance
that any honorable employment for which
they are physically fitted may be followed
without fear of losing caste. In short, let
every avenue be thrown wide open to the
women OF the world. Their lot, if self-de-
pendent as many of them are, should be
made as easy as possible, and if they pluck
up courage enough to take hold of some
masculine" profession let no one be narrow
enough to say them nay.