The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-27
WOMEN AND THEIR DRESS.
Sensible Views On eQuestion Now Hothcr-
ing the Brains of a Certain Set.
from the New York Sun

\ great many Of Intelligent women
belong to Chautauqua and other sum
mer schools of learning. Though never
a member I have long been an admi-
rer of them. I have been also III full
full sympathy with the plan and scope
of their work. But think that Chau-
tauqua has somewhat exceeded her
bounds when she has entered the arena
of discussion Of dress reform.
confess I am not much surprised to
hear women pirate of the necessity OF
reform in their dress, when they have
so readily adopted, since last season,
the foolish and untidy fashion of trail
ing skirts for the street as we'll as ln-
doors. Now, while do not profess to
be possessed OF any more common sense
than the average daughter of Eve, l
must say have clear conscience and
a record, as they say in the nomencla-
ture of the turf, Of never allowing my
dress skirts to do the work of street
sweeping. I have lived ofttimes in
fashionable New York hotels and, when
the same fashion struggled for suprem-
acy several years ago I was never gull
ty OF adopting it. Nor did l thereby
lessen the dignity Of my character or
my self-respect in thus manifesting my
independence.
think there are two reforms needed
fol- the fair sex at the present day. One
is perhaps a reform in their dress, but
paramount to that is reform for
themselves in the possession Of a
greater modlcum Of practical; sound
common sense. Much is being written
Just now affirming the necessity for a
reform in their dress, suitable hablll-
ment for women for business. Numer-
Gus devices have been suggested such as
divided skirt-mayhap return OF
the old Bloomer costnme-baggy Turk
ish trousers, and a jacket: or, most
recent of ali, a combination skirt, one
half trousers, the other half a flowing
width of material at the back.
What consider is the only reform
needed for woman's dress is for SIM
pie, neat-fitting dress, ample enough in
fulness for ease Of gait, the skirt Of the
dress to escape the ground by couple
of finches, comfortably fitting corset,
short at the hips, and not tightly
laced, the neck dressed medium high,
and loose enough fitting sleeve, and
high enough at the shoulder to admit
of an easy play Of the arm and hand for
whatever purpose its owner requires Of
it.
The dress may vary in texture and
elegance of establishment according to
the purse and social status OF the
wearer and the occasion upon which it
is worn. With such dress woman
may be free to promenade Fifty avenue,
climb moul tain side, take long walks
like our English cousins, or 60 to busi-
ness like so many American girls. 1t
will give ease and freedom to the play
OF every muscle and make q woman
attractive, which is her proper ambi-
ton. But I confess it is unfortunate to
chronicle the tendency too much fr
business pursuits here in America. We
have too many business women. If
they were relegated to the domestic
circle, woman's natural sphere, our
sons and brothers would find an ample
field for Themselves and less competi-
ton. The result would be seen in ear
lier marriages. The men could then
better afford to marry, and girls would
not have TO be business women.
Of course there must be always eX-
ceptions to this rule, where women
must work to keep the wolf from the
door; but pray, dear good Chautauqua
friends, don't think that we are all
business women, for Heavens sake,
aDd must needs done a business suit of
trousers like the men! Let US remem-
Der that there are more not in busi-
ness, and have something to say of the
needs of their sex in general. I speak
for honest wifehood and motherhood
when say that such talk and the ad-
vancement of such ideas only lessons
mans respect for our sex.
Unfortunately these are days Of wan
ing chivalry. Man has less respect for
woman than formerly, as he nowadays
jostles her elbows in the crowded horse
cars and elevators Of our great down
town business buildings, as she calls
herself "business woman I for one
regret the loss of the word "lady" and
''gentleman." Since "men and wo-
men" have become the fashionable
pallance there is less courtesy shown
by the two sexes to each other. Rob
a rose of its blush, and its beauty is
gone" I heard i gentleman, and
close observer Of human nature, say the
other evening while discussing the
present tendency among women to un-
sex themselves: "a blushing girl of
sweet l6 is at the present day almost an
unknown quantity"
The chic and sangfroid Of SO many
young women is not born OF sweetness
and purity of heart. I co not wish to
be considered IN old fogy, far from it,
Tor / am heart and soul with every
phase Of progress il this nineteenth
century. But I Go affirm that women
are too much unsexing themselves try
ing to be mannish, and thereby they
are losing the respect and admiration
of men in general and of any one man