The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-05-03
ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

her neighbor, she is indulging in soul
less extravaganza.
If woman knows that she cannot
afford to wear as rich clothing as some of
her neighbors, or that she over.taxes or
embarrasses her husband in the effort,
she is guilty of an inexcusable folly,
almost crime, if she insists upon it.
The garment which has to be obtained
by coaxing or tears and paid for by sleep.
less nights of worry, can never bring the
wearer happiness or success.
Young men declare they cannot afford
to marry nowadays because girls are SO
extravagant. They may blame them
selves for much Of this extravaganza. It
is the we'll dressed woman on whom they
bestow their attention and compliments.
1 think as rule, however, that it does
not require extravagant expenditure to
produce pleasing effects for the opposite
sex. Men like well-ftted garment, in
the prevailing fashion and in becoming
colors.
I heard gentleman rave over lady's
costume one day, and pronounced it one
of the most effective and elegant he had
ever seen. 1t was simple serge, but
exquisitely fitted and draped, and color
was exactly suited to the wearer. His
wife, who frowned at his rhapsodies, and
no. doubt wondered at his taste, was
attired in an expensive silk, overturned
and clumsily made, and Of a hideously
unbecoming shade.
know two girls: One is daughter
of wealth, who wastes fortune on dress
every year. Isay wastes, because she
throws her money away recklessly, ruins
a garment quickly, and is seldom neatly
dressed. The other girl wears inexpen-
sive materials, is scrupulously neat and
careful, and on one.twentieth of the
money expended by the heiress she is
better apparelled and more pleasing to
the eye.
American women dress in far better
and more distinctive taste than they did
decade of years ago. Individuality in
dress is becoming more potent than fash
ion.
Few of US are aware to whom thanks
are due for this welcome innovation.
We made sport of Oscar Wilde, yet ne
owe him almost as great debt Of grati-
tude as ne owe to the centennial celebra.
ton of 1876. He told the American
woman to study her persQnel, and to
adapt her garments to her Gown particu.
lar STYLE" He told her to dare to be
artistic, and the effect of his words in
creases with each passing year.
No woman ought ever to make q pur.
chase of even print or cambria without
pausing to think whether it suits her
style. If she is tall and sallow, she does
NOT need to increase her height and sal
lowness by pale plue stripe! Leave
that for the short blonde and purchase
crimson check or plain dark blue.
Men are quick to note with apprecia-
tive glances. or ready words of admira.
ton, fresh and stylish toilet. They are
quick to deride and ridicule woman
who dares to be independent of fashion.
So long as mankind finds fashionable
garments the attractive ones, so long will
womankind strive to keep close to some
fashion, no matter how she pinces US,
picks us, drags us down and overloads US.
We all desire to be pleasing in the eyes
of the lords of creation; we are al
wounded if we receive neglect or ridicule
from them, and we have all noticed that
whatever our fathers, husbands, lovers
or brothers may say theoretically on the
subject, that they invariably show their
admiration for a handsomely dressed
woman who combines good taste with
fashion.
It is painful truth that the woman
who ignores fashion impairs her useful.
ness and brings upon herself annoyance.
Ifshe travels, she meets with rudeness
and ridicule.
If she goes shopping, she meets with
inattention and discourtesy.
If she goes on an errand of charity,
she-is looked upon as crank or an i'm.
poster.
"A fashionable costume on the other
hand, is an open letter of credit.
The conductors look after you, the sales.
lady is attentive, the banker obsequious
and the usher of the church finds the
best pew for you. It is pitiful, but it is
true
A great deal has been said of late con-
cerning the decollete dress for ladies.
have seen immodest dressing which
shocked and disgusted me, but it seemE
to me the rule that American women
know where to draw the line.
could never understand why the un
covering of pretty arms and shoulders
was any more immodest than the uncov'
ering of pretty face. In Asia custom
considers the latter improper.
Men exhibit an unreasonableness il
this matter also. A pretty young wife
broke into tears one evening and con6d
ed her trouble to me. She had jus
returned from a reception, wearing
close, high.necked dress. "John hal
talked of nothing all the way home," sh'
said, "but the beauty and elegance o
Mrs. s. He thinks her..a model o