The herald., 1894-06-03
THE RATIONAL DRESS CLUB.
Women Of Denver Who Propose TO WeH
Comfortable Attire--Their Pledge.

Women Of Denver who Propose to WeN
Comfortable Attire--Thcir 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 at least.
For some time the men have had sus
picion that the women had concealed
somewhere about them that unknown
quantity, q divided skirt, in spite of the
fact that their skirts still flow about
them as gracefully and innocently al
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 mem-
bers to make its appearance before the
wondering public. They don't intend to
troop out in squad like some new far.
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
arc furnished by Mrs. B. o. Flower, the
wife of the editor of The Arena, and
Laura Lee of Philadelphia The costume
consists of boomers 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 ap-
pear in a garb peculiar to themselves.
The skirts are to be very full and gath
cred Just above the ankle, SO that the
folds will fall within five or six inches
of 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
ference 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 tho health, grace and comfort
Of women will be Increased by the adoption of
a more rational dress for business Including
consideration of ninety mine (9y other women
Of the city Of Denver severaily pledging and
binding themselves by an agreement similar
10 this, do hereby pledge and bind myself and
agree:
FirstJTo provide myself with costume as
follows: A rational dress skirt, q comfortable
fitting blouse or waist, using whalebone or
stiffening of any kind whatever whether in
the form of O corset, under waist or dress
waist; shoes with common sense heels.
Second-To wear the Same publicly In the
city of Denver, commencing at such time after
pne hundred Q0N women shall have signed this
document, as may be determined by the Colo
RADIO Rational Dress club.
Third-To continue TO wear the same us q
working, business or street costume for the Pc
riod Of at least thrnernonths after said date.
Fourth-To use my Influence to induce others
to Join the Colorado Rational Dress club.
Mrs. J. A. Kiiton, wife of member
Of the Legislature, Is president OF the
club, and Miss Clara Irwin is its secre-
tary. Mrs. c. w. Varnum, wife of
prominent attorney; Dr.. Mary E Bates,
Mrs. Helen T. Bates. Mrs. G. w. Belts,
Mrs. Bradley and Mrs. Harrington have
already enlisted. Other names are kept
secret to add to the surprise in store for
the public.
1u0 I6dSb DIV III AhaAA<<ANooy ssS~~~s VAN
dress. " and she thinks there is no rea-
son why it cannot be made very attract
i've In her opinion it is all nonsense
for women to say they cannot help look
ing slouchy without corsets. She says:
"They will simply have to learn to
stand up and walk gracefully. Think
of the comfort and ease and cleanhnessi
I am willing to grant that the sight
will be a little peculiar at first, but
when the first impression of strangeness
wears off our genial critics, the men.
will say, We'll DONE and God bless
youp /" Mrs. Kilton intends to have ev-
ery one of her dresses-house, street
and evening-made after the new pat
tern. Miss Irwin and others will follow
her example.
When the number of signatures re-
ouired is complete, the idea is to have a
reception, SO as to get little accus-
toned to the new found freedom from
petticoats before venturing on the
streets. There seems to be little doubt
among the women but the Rational
Dress club will be a great success. -
New York Sun.
The insignia of the Colonial DANES
| 1901 1islr ~ H0bt hlua