The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-09-19
WOMAN AND HER HOME.
THE TROUBLESOME QUESTION OF A
BUSINESS wOMAN's DRESS.
ing the Home-Children's Hair
Money Making for GirIs-Furniture
Makeshifts Don't Lose Your
Temper.

The proper dress for business women's
wear has caused much discussion. That
women who are engaged in business
should object to a regulation costume is
natural enough. as few of them would
care to be labeled typewriter, shop girl,
etc
A mans everyday suit, whether he is
a millionaire or a clerk. is built on the
same pattern, the sole difference being
the superiority of make and material in
the former. For wear. style and COM
fort the mans dress is scarcely sus-
ceptible of Improvement. while. alas that
Of the woman leaves much to be desired.
The toilets Of the butterflies of fashion
are lovely and we'll 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 are badly dressed for
callings 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 the
counter.
In London and Paris all of the female
employees in shops wear black cashmere
or silk gowns, the latter in the high class
establishments. These gowns are fur
nished by the firm. In America ii is fast
becoming the custom for the women in
the better class shops to wear black
dresses. with neatly-starched linen col
lars or cuffs. However. the cut Of their
garments is often poorly adapted TO their
callings. If fashionable women adopt
skirts which touch or drag on the pave
ment the woman 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 ard not over
c-ean ones in office buildings. The con-
sequence is torn facings, worn bindings
and a general untidiness which Is any
thing 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
tailCr-made costume. simply stitched or
finished with braid is by far the best, as
it is compact, neat and lasting. Serge
diagonal or cashmere wears best. The
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 the 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 lining. if any is worn, should be IT.
reproachabie.
great consideration is the outside
wrap, which, If it is long, will cover many
defects. In these days. when short capas
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 de-
faced. A good waterproof should not be
emitted. English mackintoshes are the
best, as, being of wool, coated with rub
Der, they appear the same as any other
cloaking material.
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
well 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
~ passing fashions. One well made dress
a season will be sufficiently for wear in
good weather. On rainy days last win
ter's costume can be used. Thus. with a
little care and forethought, the business
woman will always be neatly and becom-
ingly attired.-Domestic Monthly.