The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-05-21
ThSTranny Of Fashion.

ThS! Tyranny Of Fashion.
In an article on 1.-THE Modern Won.
IN and Dress" Mrs. Beecher, in the
last Brooklyn Magazine, makes some
very shresvd remarks on the subject of
fashions tyranny.
In every form of life where any class
is under the control OF one superior
power, the disposition to lay o heavy
hand on those who are subordinate,
or expected tofollow thela or teach
ings of the higher power, has been man.
Tested from the earliest period. But
no arbitrary government can befound
that SO utterly subjugates its follow
ers a. that Of the tyrant Fashion.
Her slaves are fully conscious that
they are h chains which many would
gladly throw of, but none dare take
theinitiative step toward throwing off
the shackles.
We are often asked why we do not
speak out plainly on the absurdities
of tho prevailing modes. In plain
words, what good will it do? Public
speakers and the press are constantly
expressing their scorn of such weak
ness as women show in blindly follow
ing the dictates of fashion, however
reprehensible. The fashion plates in
all the magazines, that are expected
to be posted in every change the tickle
goddess invents, grow every month
more ridiculous-more like the repre-
sentation found in Punch, or such pa
pers, than like an honest delineation
of the styles that ladies are expected
to copy.
Those who move in fashionable cir.
cles are, or should be, the best reform
ers. Not lacking independence in 9TH
er things, let them step forward for
one season, dress Us richly as their
means will warrant, but enhance the
richness of their attire by it's beauti.
full simplicity, and mark the change
just one season will effect. But
however brave in all else, they
dare not take a stand against
the tyrant Fashion! ooh! we
couldn't think of taking such u step.
1t would make us so conspicuous
through the singularity of the act. We
should feel that it was not modest to
take such step. No one person Gun
produce any change in this matter; it
must be simultaneous" Had all re.
formers reasoned thus, what would
now be the condition OF the civilized
world? Was ever any reason more
ridiculous? Let some entirely new
fashion be limited at, no matter how
absurd, and these very persons would
be the most eager to get the first
chance to display it OH their own per-
sons. But fashion is a tyrant, and
volumes written in the attempt to
control the evils she brings, will have
little effect until women no longer tear
her, and will not shrink in any efforts
to defy her. In every age there have
arisen those who have attempted to
dethrone her, but her changes are SO
abrupt and frequent, who is able to
keep track of her erratic movements?
Every little while we hear the cry of
hard times, and all that feel the un-
usual pressnre acknowledge the neces-
sity of retrenchment. The husbands
who supply the funds for home con-
sumption earnestly show that strict
economy and relinquishing all luxuries
and needless expenses is the only
chance of coming out from under the
cloud with an untarnished name, and
retaining the means to once more
build up the family fortunes into u
reputable competency. But willie
willing to bear half the burden, and
act with great economy in all house
hold expenditures, too many wives
feel the bondage OF fashion and lack
the courage and good sense to cast Off
those letters and act Independently.
And many, we are grieved to say, try
always to economize and help except
in those ways that come under the
dominions of fashion. They wait
and wait, and try one way after
another, hoping that they may pass
the crisis without any change in those
outlays that give them a position as
ladies of style and fashion, until in
such an hour as they think not the
last chances ofretrieving their fortune
is swept away, and they sink with no
hope Of regaining their former posi-
tion. We acknowledge that, under
the present dispensation, it is almost
impossible to combine true economy
and the "height of fashion" therefore,
people of limited means are bound to
shake off these letters and be govern
I'd by good practical common sense.
or become SO involved as to threaten
she peace and prosperity Of their
families.