Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-06-05
fnr RA1IonAL DRESS clue.
Women Of Denver Who Propose 60 Wear
Comfortable Attire-Their Pledge.

Women Of Denver Who Propose 60 Wear
Comfortable Attire-Their Pledge.
The male population Of Denver is just
now in a state Of daily expectation Of
an event which is TO revolutionize soci-
ETY., in appearance nc least
For some time the men have had a sus-
picion that the women had concealed
somewhere about them that unknown
quantity, divided skirt, in spite of the
fact that their skirts still flow about
them as gracefully and innocently as
though dress reform had never been
heard Of. But their suspicious have a
pretty firm foundation. A rational dress
club is only awaiting few last con-
verts to complete its roll of 100 men,
bers to make its appearance before the
wondering public. They don't intend to
troop out in a squad like some new fan
gled army, but they will put ON their
new reform clothes, and if their cour-
age holds out go about the duties Of
life as though nothing had happened.
The models for these reform clothes
are furnished by Mrs. 3. o. Flower, the
wife of the editor Of The Arena, and
Laura Lee Of Philadelphia. The costume
consists Of bloomers and blouse. But
Denver does not intend TO be mere
copyist in point of style, so she has mod
flied the two designs given her by the
east, and her leaders Of society will APP
pear in garb peculiar to themselves.
fhe skirts are TO be very full and gath
red just above the ankle, so that the
folds will fall within five or six inches
II the ground, and they are said to fol
low the movements of the legs so grace
fully that it is difficult TO see much diff
'erence from the conventional skirt.
1t is to the enterprise Of the Chicago
Tribune that the early knowledge Of the
reform is due 1t has done its work of
investigation thoroughly, too, as it even
gives us the form Of the pledge which
must be signed by those who wish TO be
among the hundred. One result of this
movement will be TO reduce the long
reigning Four Hundred of the city Of
Denver to the One Hundred.
The pledge is as follows:
Believing that the health, grace and comfort
Of women will be increased by the adoption OF
y
housekeeping purposes. l. the undersigned, In
consideration OF ninety-nine G)9) other women
OF the city Of Denver severally pledging and
binding themselves by an agreement similar
10 this, do hereby pledge and bind myself and
agree:
First-To provide myself with costume as
follows: rational dress skirt, a comfortable
1ttlnR blouse or waist, using no whalebone or
stiffening OF any kind whatever whether In
The form OF corset, under waist or dress
waist; shoes with common sense heels.
Second-To wear the same publicly In the
,ity Of Denver, commencing ut such time after
Dne hundred d00) women shall have signed this
document, as may be determined by the Colo
ado Rational Dress club.
Third-To continue 10 wear the same q
working, business or street costume for the pc
'iod Of nj least three months after said date.
Fourth-To use my influence 10 induce others
o Join the Colorado Rational Dress club.
Mrs. J. A. Kilton, wife of member
IF the Legislature, is president of the
,lub, and Miss Clara Irwin is its secre-
.ary. Mrs G. w. Varnum, wife of a
prominent attorney; DIR. Mary Il. Bates
Mrs. Helen 4. Bates Mrs. g. w. Belts,
Mrs. Bradley and Mrs Harrington have
already enlisted. Other names are kept |
,ecret 20 add to the surprise in store for
ho public.
Mrs Kilton says, "There will not be
he least bit Of immodesty about the
lress, and she thinks there Is no rea-
on why 1t cannot be made very attract
We In her opinion II is all nonsense
or women TO say they cannot help look
ng slouchy without corsets. She says;
They will simply have 70 learn TO
tand up and walk gracefully. Think
4 the comfort and ease and cleanliness
am willing to grant that the sight
viii be u little peculiar at first but
When the first impression of strangeness
wears off our genial critics, the men,
viii say, Well done, and God bless
'our Mrs. Kilton intends TO have ev-
ry one Of her dresses--house, street
nd evoning--made after the new pat
ern. Miss Irwin and others will follow
er example
When tho number Of signatures re-
uirod is complete, the idea Is to have "a
eception, so rs TO get little aocus-
omed 70 the new found freedom from
etticoats before venturing ON the
treotS There seems TO be little doubt
mong the women but tho Rational
'ress club will be great success -
Few York Sun.