The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-09-06
THE QUESTION OF LINGERIE.
DROP Your Collection of Bands, Bones and
Gathers and Dress Sensibiy.

OTDE 1piF OF LSa:tuS, Bones and
Gathers and Dress Sensibly
Most women overdress themselves.
They wear too much clothing. The
symmetry of the figure is DESTROYED by
the collection of bands. bones and
gathers about the waist: grace of move
ment is destroyed by the overlapping
and ill-draped skirts. and not only com
fort. but health, is destroyed by their
weight. COrsets of clumsy construc-
ton and ridiculous length make carl
catures of the women who wear them,
and the average woman stands accused.
With the big sleeves, the full skirts.
the coats and shirt waists, the under
skirts and petticOats, the little women
suggest rag bags and the big women
are monStrous.
When a stranger goes to a French
modiste and is charged S120 or so for a
toilet she pays for more than the goods
received. 1t is worth something to
learn how to dress. An artistic will not
fit waist over a whalebone harness or
drape a skirt over starched petticoat.
She will not use a cotton lining, either.
knowing that the gown will certainly
not be satisfactory. Durability cuts
no figure in the matter A lady never
wears out her dresses. Fashion spares
her that fatigue. A garment may be
good for one seasons wear: after that
its usefulness is ended. And so it be-
hooves every intelligent person to buy
her garments-goves, bonnefs, Wraps,
shoes or frocks-for the moment and
get fresh supply when needed.
But to return to the quantity OF
dress. a few years ago an agent for
the so-called equestrian tights went
through clubdom lecturing on dress
reform. She carried copiCus notes and
a ease of wooden and silk goods in vari-
Gus weights and colors. The riding
hrecches were worn by the lady as
substitute for understands.
What would people think to see You
in blow with nothing else under your
drnSs?' a far-seeing prude in the audi
cnce asked.
They would think that l had legs,
and their SurInise would be correct"
After that the immodcsty of tights
was not mentioned. There is no deny
ing the elegance of French lingerie
but it can be and is i'll used. Lawn and
laccs. batistc and baby ribbons are not
for common attire. They suit the but
tertly, but the busy bee must be better
dressed to gather the honey. Even the
exquisite Partisan lady admits that the
Jersey fitting body garments and the
colored silk or poplin skirt are the
proper outfit for the street. and while
all the world goes to Paris for dimity.
Paris gets bales OF woven tights and
vests from England and Germany.
Short stockings, short corsets and
elastic. glove-fitting body garments
should be adopted by all fat women
every woman who has work to do.
There are Jersey and knitted goods
which fit better than merinoS, and
they may be had in the heavy turf
weavings such as sweaters and leggings
are made OF. as well as in medium or
zephyr weights. Silk Jersey suits are
not warm. but they are luxurious; silk
and thread wear better: the wool goods
are incompatible. If petticoat must
be worn have it the color of the dress
and yoled at the belt.
Starch went out of the laundry ten
Years ago. When the petticoat is abol-
ished womans emancipation will have
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