The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-13
BRAINS VERSUS DRESS.
Literary Women Proverbially Careless In
Dress or Dress without Taste.

Literary Women Proverbially Careless In
Dress or Dress without Taste.
In an article on GLOW the Literary
Women of New York Dress" a writer in
the New York World says:
AS a rule women of letters are bad
dressers. They are apt to be careless,
neglected. and slipshOd on the one hand or
eccentric, conspicuous or bizarre on the
other. III you look in at a salon or literary
club you will speedily discover that the
well-Toomed, well-gowned women can be
counted on the fingers OF one hand, while
the name of fussy, over-dressed and be-
dizened ladies IS legion.
The limp, aesthetic clinging style is
greatly affected by many literary women.
Others rely upon yards of trimming and n
blaze Of gems. There is one well-known
writer who never appears without hat
even II she be in decOllete evening dress.
People often ask Have you ever seen
Mrs III. without her hat?" and the answer
is invariably "No."
The fashion writers, with few excep-
tons, are the most dOwdily and unbecom-
ingly dressed Of all. Two ladies' at their
first SorOsis luncheon begged their hostess
TO point out famous fashion writer as
soon as she entered the room, so anxious
were they to see her. While the hostess
friends the two strangers surveyed the
animated scene before them. Suddenly
one said TO the other: "See that frowsy,
dowdly looking woman Who can she
be? She must have got in by mistake"
just then their hostess touched her on
the shoulder and pointing out this same
''irowsy female" said: There is Mrs.
-" naming the famous fashion writer.
The visitors exchanged significant glances,
but didn't say anything.
There are a few well-known literary
women who, with their beached hair, big
diamonds and taste for colors that can be
heard on the next block, are often mis-
taken for Broadway soubrettes. The
writers are not above the arts OF the toilet
either, and rouge. powder and other de-
tails are used by many OF the aZure-hosed
tribe as well rs by the butterflies Of society
Nor IS decOllete dressing frowned upon
by the ladies who write for living. One
may see at functions frequented by
writers quite as liberal display of charms
as in the boxes at the Metropolitan. The
writer recalls a sight witnessed at a GER
tain famous sOlOOn which surely could not
be dlstanced anywhere, save at a Turkish
bath. A blonde autbOress with the face
OF a wax doll and the figure of clothes
horse was kind enough to put the latter
on exhibition. 1t is yet O mystery, pro-
found and fmpenetrable, what held that
woman's bodice on.
Many literary costumes bear the IN
mistakable stamp of being home made.
This is al very well for struggling merit
In top-hoor hall bedroom, but when
writer has attained certain amount of
success she should not turn the rag-bag
upside down and thrust its contents upon
q deienseless public. She owes it to
society TO dress well or stop at home.
Again, 1t is scarcely the correct thing to
receive callers with bare feet. This has
been done by writer of note and that be-
fore the Cleopatra fad too. The woman
has pretty feet; therefore much can be
forgiven her.
These are but few types. Now TO
cease glittering generalitIes and point out
particular styles of dressing. Mrs. Van
Rensselaer, Cruger is essentially grande
dame, always perfectly attired whether in
opera, reception or street costume. At
one of her recent cat homes" she was ex-
qUisitely gowned in picturesque brocade
with an old-rose silk train, whose sides
We're garnisbed with embroidered chiffon.
She wore huge cluster Of purple violets
on her breast and looked anything but a
bas bley.
Mrs. Ella Dietz Clymer, ex-president of
sorosis. Is always becOmingly and taste
fully dressed. She is fond OF the delicate
shades OF mauYe, heliotrope and gray.
which harmonic beautifully with the
sea-shell tints of her complexion and with
her blonde hair. Mrs. Clymer's bonnets
are dainty, small and close fitting.
Mrs. Ella Wheeler Wilcox is an eccen-
trio dresser. She chooses the Josephine,
Recamier and Kate Greenaway costumes,
always wearing a loose, clingin0 gown in
a nf h.r 4. q
white satin with Vatican backs and
pulled sleeves. She wears little jewelry,
but possesses historic bangle with a ro-
mantle history. IL was given her by her
husband and each coin marks q stage in
their courtship. Mrs. Wilcox is greatly
addicted to gray.
Miss Elita Proctor Otis is a stunning
looking woman, whose toilets are always
conspicuous. Entire costumes of bright
scarlet, pink and white are her delight, and
her favorite street dress last summer was
gown of lurid tartan silk.
Grace Greenwood wears black and gray
and on state occasions is quite the dowager,
In black velvet and point lace.
Kate Field, who runs over so often from
Washington thatshe can be classed among
New York literary women, imports many
of her costumes, and yet at the same time
is an encourager OF home manufactures.
Her gowns. are picturesque and unique,
decidedly unlike any other woman's.
Mrs. Croly is very plain dresser, usu-
ally wearing black.
Gertrude AthertOn is devoted to all
shades Of green, both for gowns and room
furnishings. and very becoming it is to her
ivorY-tinted skin, amber hair and beryl-
green eyes. For the street the lady dresses
most severely in dark colors.
Isabel Mallon is one of the few fashion
writer, who dresses well and wears navy