Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-09

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to effect this reform in dress, so much has
there been written upon the subject, and, of
course, read, for where is the woman who
does not read the Fashion column" first OF
all; and Flora reads it as regularly and in
terestedly as does her wealthier sister who
persists in shopping and going to market in
the same jewels she would wear to the SWELL
est reception, and in wearing the same wrap
in which she would make a visit or attend
church; these worn over a second-best dress
and shoes the worse for wear. Not over
drawn, l assure you "Seeing is believing"
and have too frequently seen this sorry ex-
hibition of carelessness in dress right here
in our rown twin cities, and the sight was
enough to put on edge all the teeth of good
Iaste--even false ones.
I am certain this is the result Of hurry
and thoughtlessnesS, for nowhere is there
more perfect taste or elegance displayed in
visiting or reception makeup than among
Pittsburg and Allegheny ladies. (Please
swallow the antidote, like good girls, and
make no rash threats against my false
hair).
MEN NOT BLIND TO EFFECTS.
1t is generally supposed if man likes or
loves woman, as the case may be, he is in
capable OF judging whether or not she is be-
comingly or suitably attired; that if he dis
covers anything off color or outlandish he
would attribute 1T to one of fashions freaks
and rest the matter there. think this not
wholly the case. The majority of men hear
enough talked at home to be fairly we'll edu-
Gated in regard to the feminine toilet-at
least sufficiently to admire the perfect re-
suits, though the process remain mystery;
a disclosure of which would destroy the po-
tencU of the effect For this reason "Clara
Belle" moves that we hold the putting to-
gether of women's wear as secret as Free
Masonry.
1 heard 8 pretty, bisque-comple1ioned,
dimpled bud remark to some companions,
who were discussing the relative merits of
gowns to be worn at german: II don't
care fig whether the girls admire my dress
or not so the boys do. Girls are always.
jealousP'
On the evening of the dance was grieved
to notice this same sweet-taced, short-necked,
short-waisted daughter left noticeably alone
by the boys she had hoped to attract. And
why? The very question asked one of the
beax. His reply was: because she looks
so funny. What is the matter with her har-
ness?"
Now, it was out of this young mans line
to know that the high shoulder puffs, on a
level with her ears, which would have
formed piquant detail in the ensemble Of
her long-necked, slim-chested girl friend,
made her full throat all too short; and that
that the puffed and belted waist, front view,
left one to imagine deiormity in the back,
and that the full round skirt completed the
pincushlonry effect of the funny" girl
whom no one had the courage to lead out to
dance; and all on account of her having
been made a caricature of by some one lack
ing the instinct of choice.
THE BRIGHTEST WINGS WIN.
How frequently have we noticed, men
credited with any amount of gray matter,
devoting the lions share of an evening to
the lightest-weight. but, every time, bright
est-winged butterfly, to the neglect OF the
scholarly bee in the corner who was mentally
equipped to discuss entertsiningly any
theory past or present, but alasl who looked
like circus.
1t has been said: "Good clothes open all
DOORS" Is it then a waste of time or folly
to give some consideration to the matter of
making righteous selections as to style and
material? Is it absurd to keep up ones ap-
pearance when we know upon that in
measure, depends our keeping our lovers
or husbands affection-which, by the way,
is often as tickle as the fashions themselves.
Let me describe a costume, the product of
an inflamed taste, calculated TO bring a
lover to the proposing point: "Red tulle
gown, red shoes, red hose, red gloves, red
fursp' The effect of this costume has been
described as one rich warm glow. Wonder
what that easily infuriated animal de-
scribed by Dickens as seeing red in all
colors would have thought of this spectacle.
Here is a butterfly costume worn at a
recent ball which was designed by an
artist-and the artist was a woman: The
skirt was full one of black armure draped
with tulle. The tulle was caught at the
right side with moire ribbons with long
flowing ends. Jet butterflies of various
sizes appeared to hutter among the folds of
tulle and were revealed or hidden as the
draperies swayed or closed. The bodice was
of armure and large butterfly formed the
front-its outspread wings touching with
their tips the shoulders of the weArer. A
butterfly appeared to hover over the ribbon
loops which rested on the left shoulder, and
another poised on the topmost puff OF the fair
hair of the wearer which was dressed high
could a more charming costume be i'm
agined?
vIoLETs A FEATURE.
Another handsome gown said to have been
worn at London reception recently was of
violet velvet, with front panel, and vest of
violets-vee violets crowded close together
with now and then stray leaf in its pretty
green shade to relieve the monotonous look.
The bodice had drapery across the front
which was caught on the left shoulder with
a bunch Of violets.
Rumor has it that fashion is all in a
futter to announce that cock-talled basques
those awful denominations with buttons
are coming across the sea upon her invita-
ton. 1t is said "Ouida" wore one to an
afternoon tea in London. In view of the
general idea society has of the naughty
novelist's taste in gowns-as questionable as
her morals-it seems rather absurd to look
upon her in the light of a criterion of
fashions.
1 want to call attention to that big bob
bing nuisance-the hat at the theater. OF
course it is some other hat that is the
offender-not mine or yours. So we all
think. 1 am sure evil is wrought in this
respect from lack of thought, rather than
want of heart. 1t does seem as if everyone
except ourself wears her highest, broadest,
most bedecked hat to the play, and as if
they all sit front. Come, let us be sensible
and kind, let who will be cruel and unjust.
Let us start this reform and remove our
headgear, or wear something a giraffe can
see over; then our sense Of justice will be
satisfied and we can grumble with better
conscience against that hat in front.
TIME AND FASHION.
At no time has fashion been more inter-
ested in the flight Of time. As if to aggra-
vate US by the continual reminder that time
is not waiting for us, the watch and the
clock, with hands held up reproachfully,
and faces which seem to be looking mock |