The National tribune., 1895-10-17

mise costume answered this need the best, ~
the skirt could be heightened at q moments
notice If anyone CHANGED to call. / do not
think blOoBers are either pretty or graceful;
and the idea that they will ever take the place
OF skirts as house dresses, reception toilets. or
anything else except TO be worn during ath-
letic sports or heavy work. seems preposterous.
The sensible woman will acknowledge that on
such occasions long skirt is decidedly NUS
ance.
Did my costume causs a sensasionp No;
for. AS did not parade in il before the public.
very few outside my own family knew I wore
it BUXTON GARTES
Now, does II not sound perfectly modest End
ladylike, with that high modesty that accom-
modates itself to the circumstances OF life?
The writer probably dons her skirts when her
work is over and visits her neighb ors and goes
to church with as completely and entirely
feminine disposition as the woman who will
not contrive bygienic working costume. but
who risks consumption and baekachs, head
ache. nerves, and wrinkles in order to stick to
long, dragging skirts.
The third letter is also from the West.
Are the Eastern women Indifferent to the
problem, that they leave il entirely in the
hands of friends in Iowa and Kansas2 Thig
writer advocates both skirts AMI boomers. and
perhaps she would have the most comfortable
costume. provided the skirt be light and easily
taken OF.
BLESSING, Iowa, Oct. 3, 1895.
EDITOR BETTER HALF: Seeing your kind
invitation in the last NATIONAL TRIBUNE for
housekeepers to give their opinions on the
bloomer question, the sister that wrote it ex-
pressed my sentiments exactly, with a few
exceptions.
This is what I would suggest: Make bloom
ers and skirt of the same material, the length
to he about six inches above the ankle-joint.
do not approve of the boomers without the
skirt, or vice versa, but together they make q
very modest and neat work dress.
believe they would be great benefit to
our country sisters, who have SO much outdoor
work-attending the chickens. garden. etc.
How could our dignifed lords ind fault with
a costume so modest as this and so appropriate
for our mornings work? Why not women
dress according to their work as we'll as men2
am bitterly opposed to the boomers alone
or divided skirts of any kind; they are so
mannsh. Any ladies wearing such costume
on the street lin my opinion) deserve the ridi-
Guile they are getting.
shall advocate the boomers and short skirt
here In the West as much as possible.
EDITH L. DUNN,
We want to hear more on this question. The
discussion is we'll started with these three let
ters, aud we are very much interested in hear.
ing all sides. Anything to tighten labor is good
If ga costume se devised, let US take adj
vantage of it. We want more letters, uphold
ing or differing from these given. and we will
gladly publish them. Address Better Half"
The NATIONAL TRIBUNE, Washington, ID. c.
All the letters show modesty and Difference
to public opinion, and at the same time de-
sire to take a sensible view Of the question
All agree that boomers are not meant for re-
cepsion or calling or dinner or church frocks.
For these purposes / guess we will all cling
to our skirts"
ELSIE PoMERoY MCELRoY