Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-06-22
DRESSING AS AN ART.
WHAT TO WEAR MORNING, AFTER
NOON AND EVENING.
Bad Taste For Hostess to Be Overdressed.
Dresses For Lunches, Formal Dinners
and suppers-Display Of JeweIry, Etc.
The Dangers of Overdressing.
copyright, 1893. by American Press Associa-

WA DIS was invited to lunch
con given by friend Of
her daughter, and after it was over she
said: sMy dear, who is your friend?
Surely she cannot be well informed, for
she wore q gown low at the neck at Q
o'clock in the day, and it was entirely
too superb for a hostess to wear at al
most any time. Then has she no place
else to display her jewels except in her
own homer
The daughter blushed and said, ssWell,
mother, Of course she made mistake,
but it is mistake frequently made by
women who, from not having seen much
of society, do not understand the art of
dressing well at home" 'sMy DEAR
answered her mother, II am glad that
you have an excuse for her. In my day
it was considered in bad taste for a
hostess to be elaborately dressed, for
then not one who was present and
not having equally gorgeous plumage
would suffer little heartache. You
see, in those days the feelings of the Wis
itor were counted of more importance
than the display made by the hostess"
'.Yes, that is true" responded the
daughter, ''and it is still true among
people who really understand what So
ciety is in its best term-a meeting of
people whose every thought is to make
it pleasant for whoever may be the neigh
bor."
This little talk proved to me that there
were many women in the world who,
not meaning to make mistakes, did make
them and do make them in their own
homes-I mean in the way of dressing.
No matter how elaborate luncheon or
an afternoon tea may be, the wearing of
a bodice cut low at the neck or exposing
the arms is in extremely bad taste. What
is known as the round English neck is
sometimes seen on a young girl, but even
she must have long sleeves, and herdress
must have the air of being a pretty house
gown without the least suggestion of a
ball dress. A hostess may if she likes
wear pretty brooch, some simple ban
| giles and the rings she is in the habit Of
wearing, but an extensive display of
/ jewelry is considered, as it is, in ex-
tre1nely bad form. A diamond necklace
had better remain in the safety vaults
forever than be assumed in the daytime,
though even such an atrocity has been
noticed
Gloves are not worn either at lunch
con or at tea, and the picture of young
woman serving tea with her gloves on is
an illustration Of us great ignorance of
what is proper as is that displayed by the
woman who eats her luncheon with a
veil across her face. What to wear?
Wear any pretty house gown that you
may have. and it, by the bye, may be
draped as uniquely or elaborately as you
desire, or if you have not dainty house
toilet then assume such dress as might
be worn at a daytime reception, going,
of course, without your bonnet or gloves.
Personally think woman who, inclin-
ing to be hospitable, gives many lunch
cons or teas is at once economical and
wise if she provide herself with house
gown, for an effective one can be got
up at slight cost, and then the house
wear, which is always severe, will not
be given to the daytime dress.
A tea gown is only proper for o'clock
tea when women only are invited or in
the seclusion of ones own room. To
somebody who inquiries it must be said
most emphatically that the wearing Of a
tea gown at hotel outside the seclusion
of your own room will stamp you as be-
ing in ignorance of its use. What is
known as a fitted" tea gown may be
worn at an afternoon tea that is informal
and to which men may ''happen in" but
the ordinary loose one is, / repeat, not in
good taste when the critical sex are to
be present.
At dinner-that is, at formal dinner
"a hostess appears in a low gown, short
sleeves and wearing her gloves. She
may assume the jewelry she considers
in harmony with her dress, but much Of
it is not advised for the kindly reason
have given. After the gloves are re-
moved at the table it is not absolutely
necessary to assume them again, but it
must be remembered by even the great
est novice in dining out that the gloves
are entirely removed, and not merely
taken off the hand and tucked under, a
fashion started by somebody evidently
ignorant of what really constituted pro-
priety and one decidedly suggestive of
laziness.
In visiting one pays the tribute to the
hostess of looking ones best, and so a
pretty reception or walking costume is
proper at luncheon. The small bonnet
may be worn with propriety, and as it
is frequently troublesome to put on be
retained, but when very large hat la
den with feathers is worn it should be
taken off, not only because it looks out
of place at the table, but it chances be-
ing knocked against even by the most
careful waiter. In my experience have
seen a huge Gainsborough receive the
ice intended for its wearer.
/ Women Of good taste elect to wear
either small bonnets or hats that may be
removed to the theater, opera or con-
cert. Many women, realizing the rights
of the people who sit behind them, keep
a perfectly plain felt sailor hat to wear
to places of amusement. This is taken
off Immediately after entering the door
and is put under the seat in the wire
rack intended for such purpose. Of
course it is troublesome to remove an
elaborate hat, and equally, Of course, its
plumes and ribbon would suffer from
being held in the lap, SO the stiff sailor
takes its place, and though it cannot be
quoted as becoming it is useful and full
fills all the requirements.
At afternoon receptions a visitor may
wear any sort Of hat or bonnet and re-
tain it. This is the opportunity Of
the girl who wishes to look picturesque,
and who, alas, does not always realize
where her picturesque getup is out oi
place. Cloth gowns may be just beside
rich silk or velvet ones, elaborate long
cloaks jostle short jackets, and indeed
from the girl who prides herself on hel
severe simplicity to the one who is gor
geous in f1rs and brocades every gowI
or wrap suitable for street or carriage
wear is proper at an afternoon recep
ton.
Not long ago the question of what tx
wear to places of amusement was agl
tated. The wise girl is the one who re
alizes that handsome skirts will be ru
ined by sitting on them for three hours
and their having to endureSthe walking
i over process that comes to them wheI
neoule In the middle row Of seats want