The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-05-08
INFLUENCE OF TIE CLOTHES
WE WEAR

The silent influence of the clothes
people wear, especially in the circles
of society where they are known, is
nearly as potent as the words they
speak. The apparel in which men
and women appear on week days and
Sundays is generally an index of their
character. A young woman appears
in new neat-ftJing and fashionable
costume; the observers admire and
vote it pretty. But if it be an expen-
sive wear, the question at once is liza
BILE to be raised, can she afford it?
Has she an income? If not, can her
ather and mother, in view of their
limited means, stand the cost without
inconvenience? Ifdoubts be expresse d
whether herself or her parents were
in a condition to spare the means for
the outlay, when there were other
greater family needs, then it goes to
the young Woman's discredit. Instead
of having raised herself in the esti-
nation of all right-thinking people,
her expensive new costume puts her
on q lower grade. The husband NAV
look with feelings Of pride On the at.
tractive new dress of mis- wife. It
must have cost quite little sum of
money; but does it raise her higher in
the ranks of good society. and has the
husband, as a legitimate result, added
new and valuable friends? The an
sWer to the questit Ii depends altogether
ON the supposed liability to incur the
cost If there be just reason for sus-
plclon that the extra expenditure
might better have been applied to the
payment of just debts, or the purchase
of absolute family necessities, then the
husband and the wife have both been
the losers in the public estimate. Al
though the quality of the clothes does
not determine the degree of respect
ability. but as general rule it holds
true that those who are neatly clad be-
long to what IN common parlance we
call the better classes of society. A
wealthy man or wealthy woman care
lessly and slovenly dressed by common
consent is held inexcusable. Money
may help to bridge over their want
judgement, nevertheless their neglect
full garments are damaging to their re-
putation. Those persons who would
be mindful to the influence of dress on
character would do well to keep in
view the danger of extremes. An
lnapproprlately dressed woman is La
bic to be severely criticised and lose
standing, if she goes to either of the
extremes. Ii she appear in costume
which Is believed to be beyond her
means, she makes a great mistake;
if sine goes much b Glow her means and
looks slatternly, then she makes a like
mistake. There is an adaptation of
dress to pecuniary circumstances. to
which public sentiment holds eyery
Individual amenable. There are also
times and places where different CO.'S
tunes have their appropriateness. In
the church and church sociables Jew
elry and costly attire should not in.
trude. Thousands of respectable peo-
pie in the common walks of life are
repealed from the church because of
the fashionable display of many of the
worshippers. 1t is quite natural that
the poorer classes should feel i'll at
ease where style predominates in q
congregation of professed worshippers.
If the wearers of rich costumes and
costly jewelry take pleasure in these
displays of fashion, the theatre, the |
opera, brilliant weddings and reeep- |
tioLs or occasions more than ordinary
are the most suitable places.