Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-20


The dude can get along perfectly well withou,
brains; nor need he be handsome man. he
must possess, however, taste in dress combined
with q pachydermatous indifference TO being
laughed at. The true specimen accepts az so
many compliments the feers of the gutter.
snipes, smiling inwardly with complscence a,
shouts OF 1t alive or only stuffed2 and s.Stich
a pin in IL and see il explode" Even a seq
ond-hand potato whistiing past his head is :
complimentary tribute not calculated in the
least to disturb his equanimity. Imperturbable
sang froid is to him an Indispensable charac-
istic.
In addition to this he must have q proper
accent in his speech. There is only one accent
for dude. and it is acquired in perfection
only by study and practice. Nobody but a
dude can ever possess that accent really and
truly: it goes with his clothes and he would
| soon lose ii if he were compelled TO go about
for while in shabby attire. The accent In
question is partially mixture Of the English
ana the Bostonese, but with Improvements
upon both.
GUS Of being dudes who despair of attainine
the ambition. They do not know how to &c
about it, and it ia for their benefit that this
article is written. As has been implied, It il
not possible in the nature of things for every
| one to be a dude, but in many cases much
might be accomplished by the following Of GER
tain definite prescriptions.
In the first place, os to the accent. There Il
nothing more easy to acquire IN a moderate de.
gree, and perfection in 1t il attainable by per-
sistence. 1t is very catching, so that II Won
will spend a few hours in conversation with one
or more dudes you will find yourself initiating
It without intention. There ought to be no
difficulty about that point. Next comes the
question OF garments, which il all-important.
The natural gift of taste ought not to be alb
solutely necessary. Let the aspirant cultivate
| a habit of observing attentivelv what the most
successful dudes of his acquaintance wear and
how it is worn. For example. take the case of 90
small and apparently trifiing a thing as the
scarf pin. In reality this little adornment
ought to be study. What would be your
chance Of being considered dude in correct
form If you were seen to have inserted your
pin in the wrong corner of your tie-in the
leff-hand instead OF the right-hand upper cor
ner which is the only proper place for a scarf
pin, according to dudesque convention.
Definite information as to what you ought Ia
wear. even down to the smallest particulars
you can obtain by the simple practice o.
observing the dudes who are most admirable
You find out in this way that the most correct
kind Of scarfpin is single pearl az big as
French pea-real if you can afford it. otherwise
Roman, of the sort that can be bought for $40
Next, you take notice that the necktie itself
most approved is white. of silk or satin. and
very wide and full, whether tied in sailor,
knot or puff" You must tie it yourself O,
course. Nothing could be more horrible thar
one OF those ready-madc scarfs, which are such
palpable shams
The rest is easy enough ANY good tailor
will supply you with clothes correctly cut ac-
cording to the latest fashions and you can selec,
materials like those worn by the dudes of your
acquaintance. If it is a cutaway suit that yor
are ordering choose the finest black diagonal
for the coat and waistcoat: for the trousers
nothing can be,better than shepherds plaid OF
a very small check. Your shoes should be OF
patent leather, with brown CATERS: likewise
your derby hat should be brown, though
You must always wear silk hat il
the afternoon. As for your collar, it ought to
be a standing one. turned over at the points
and you should select for your patronage the
best laundry you can find. never permitting q
polish to be put on your linen. Have your hair
cut very short behind, with bang left in from. :,
and permit no beard to grow save o mustache
which should be twisted and turned up at the
points Your cuffs must be square cornered
| and fastened with link sleeve buttons. Two
| overcoats yon will need-one q fall overcoat
and the other Newmarket cape coat for cold
DAYS.
The above is a pretty comprehensive recipe
for being dude. though perfection in the ART
is only to be obtained by long practice, the
most difficult thing to arrive at being the man.
ner. Mere dress is simply the outward and
visible sign of the inward and spiritual grace.
There is only ono true type of dude. Find q
perfect specimen and initiate him persistently
until you have made yourself into his likeness