Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-27
ETHICS OF DRESS.
The Connection that Exists Between Morality
and Clothes.
Boston Transcript

Boston Transcript
A biographer of Haydn states that when
he sat down to the composition of any of
his great musical works he first arrayed
himself in the most elegant apparel at
his command; and in like manner Skobe-
lef-one of the most brilliant and sue
cessful generls of modern times-before
going into battle always donned uniform
of spotless white. No royal bird ever
plumed its feathers with more pride and
care. These eminent instances and many
more of similar nature might be quoted,
prove that the self-confdence of mankind
depends, In great degree, upon the tailor
and the dressmaker. Did these but know
their power the human race would be as
puppets in their hands.
1t is quite obvious to the most superb
cial observer that there is an established
relation between certain mental or moral
characteristics and certain styles or pecu-
harities of dress; but it becomes a very
difficult although interesting question to
determine which is cause and which is eff
feet. Does the particular trait of charac-
ter, by some process of natures selection,
seek to express itself in corresponding
style of dress? Or does the habit of the
man, accldently adopted, perhaps, super
However this may be, it cannot be doubt
ed that in most instances the one is at
least the reflex of the other. 1t is not
wholly for the delectation of small boys
and nursery maids that the soldier is ar
rayed in all the panoply of war. Nor is
1T mere accident that from the imme-
mortal sack-clOth (Of one description or
anOther) has been the common garb of
the penitent. The shallow vanity, insin-
certify, and pitiful moral weakness of the
shabby genteel could not be expressed
more plainly than they are in the thread
bare finery by which they attempt to palm
themselves off for which they are not.
These only excite contempt, whereas all
true men are glad to make obeisance
to the honest darn of what DIR. johnson
called ''rremediated poverty" A sturdy
beggar in his rags may command respect
and even excite remOrse when in manly
resentment of some sight, he threatens,
like old Ochlltree, to beg of US no more.
1t IS, again physiological fact that there
Is close relation between the particular
style of the clergyman's waistcoat and his
theological views. Who has ever seen the
upholder of the apostolic succession in
lOw-cut vest? Such radical devices are
adopted only by the exponent of broad
er or lower theology. Indeed as the opin-
ions of the latter become broader and low
er, their effect upon the outward man ad-
vrnces 91dri OGssu, and it is perceived even
IN the extremities, finally resulting, in
some extreme cases, in the homogeneous
combination of clerical choker with
neither garments of the intense secular
ity.
There is also an orderly and it would
seem inevitable correspondence between ?
the dress of the placid and self-cOntained
Quaker and those peculiar traits which, it
is generally assumed distinguish him
from the more fashy and turbulent por-
ton of mankind. This is still more ap
parent and attractive in the sedate pat
terms and subdued colors-as of a soft
twilight affected by the gentle Quakress.
With grooping lid and glance' half coy,
half furtiVe, she retreats into the deep re-
cesses of her poke bonnet as into sanct-
uary. Did mortal man ever presume to
make love to such? By what profane steps
is she led to the matrimonial altar? Can
it be possible that even Quakress will in
dulge in those frivolities by which Ordin-
airy mortals are wooed and won? Or is it
indeed true that her only communication
upon such occasions is verify, yea, yea-or
sometimes, perchance, nay, nay?
The author of "a Trip Through Nasal,
Land" gives it as result of his observa-
ton upon the people of Central Africa
thai there is no necessary connections be-
tween morality and clothes, for he found
several tribes which had entirely discarded
or, rather, never had assumed, the latter
were in character, and habits vastly super
ior to their wardrobe, had more nearly
the standard civilization
From this conclusion of the African ira
Weller let US hope that the speculative
mind may derive some solace and solu-
ton for the amazement and bewilderment
into which it was otter thrown by toilets
of fashionable Europe and America.