The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-10-10
THE HOUSEHOLD.
A Business WOman's Dress,

wear has caused much discussion. That
women who are engaged in business should
object to regulation costume Is natural
enough, rs few of them would care to be
labeled typewriter, shopgirl, etc.
A mans everyday suit, whether he Is a
millionaire or a clerk, Is built on tho same
pattern, the sole difference being the su-
periority of make and material in the
former. For wear, style and comfort the
mans dress Is scarcely susceptible of i'm
provement, while, alasl that of the WON
an leaves much to be desired The toilets
Of the butterflies Of fashion are lovely and
well suited to women who are born to or
achieve the purple
The trouble Is that working women
slavishly copy as nearly as possible the
toilets of their more fortunate sisters, and
In consequence ore badly dressed for call
ings that take them out in all weather,
and necessitate STOPPING over desks or
reaching up to high shelves, as is the case
with shopwomen.
There is no necessity for business wom-
en- to make themselves conspicuous by
peculiar style of dress, but in many cases
they are simply ridiculous in cheap gowns
of conspicuous color and cut, which have
no affinity for the desk or tho counter
In London and Paris all of the female
employees in shops wear black cashmere
or silk gowns, the latter in tho high class
establishments. These gowns are furnished
by the firm. In America it is fast becom-
ing the custom for the women in the bet
ter class shops to wear black dresses, with
neatly starched linen collars or cuffs.
However, the cut of their garments is of
ten poorly adapted to their callings If
fnGlinnnh1p eli irtc xub oh
touch or drag on tho pavement, the wom-
an who works for her daily bread does the
same, not taking into account the fact
that rain or shine, she must be on the
street, climbing up dirty elevated stairways
and not overclean ones of office buildings.
The consequence is torn facings, worn
bindings and q general untidiness which
Is anything but attractive.
The working woman should choose the
fashion of her clothes with discretion.
Firstly, the material should be of wool
not of too heavy texture but soft, warm
and of black or some dark color. The
tailor made costume, simply stitched or
finished with braid, is by far the best, as
1t is compact, neat and lasting. Serge
diagonal or cashmere wears best. The
skirt should be of medium width, neither
too tight nor wide enough to flap around
the feet in walking. The waist should be
made with a medium or short coat, either
closed at the throat or opening over "a
white chemisette. Either style seldom goes
out of fashion.
For those who desire comfort and free
dom the blouse waist is best, tho corset
loosely adjusted. A pretty blouse may be
made of the same material as the dress, or
if left over of another color, the blouse
being an economical invention. The lin
en-, If any is worn, should be irreproacha-
BILE.
A great consideration is the outside
wrap which, if it is long, will cover many
defects. In these days, when short capes
and coats are in fashion, long wraps of
good style are rather difficult to obtain.
The long English coats and newmarkets
are never entirely out of style and are
made of warm material not easily defaced.
good waterproof should not be omitted
English mackintoshes are the best, as be-
ing of wool, coated with rubber, they up
pear the same as any other cloaking mate.
rial
The hat may be a stylish one of felt,
but devoid of plumes or aught that would
be affected by the rain. Good thick shoes,
we'll made and with medium heels, should
be chosen.
In short, the woman who wishes to be
economical, healthy and comfortable,
should eschew all marked and consequent.
ly passing fashions. One well made dress
a season will be sufficient for wear in good
weather On rainy days last winters cos
tune can be used Thus with little
care and forethought, the business wom-
an will always be neatly and becomingly
attired domestic Monthly