The Washington times., 1895-02-28

Detn, Une Dolly MaulSOn, even up 10 tIe
sensible hygieuc reform costumes on the
stage, was discussed, Differentiated de-
veloped, and displayed.
The reasons why girl can't throw
brick at a church, why she can't rice n
stick cheval, roll on the grass, or climb
a tree like a hoy, set on the baiusters or
slide down, ride on both sides of horse,
why the alpenstock and the gown and the
girl get tangled in the Alps or Catskills,
and other interesting question were all
involved III and evolved out of the considera-
ton of the pending question. Incidental
to these questions We're considered the eX-
pcnse, the sacrifice to fashion, and the
inaptitude of the modern apparel OF
women.
or course there was a large audience pres
ent TO hear what women had to say about
themselves ard how IL is proposed to make
woman thing OF beauty and JOY forever
from the points of view OF artistic Criticism.
1t is not 10 be understood that the ques-
tion was not discussed from the serious and
philosophical standpoint 1t was entirely
SO. The hUmor was only deduction, aneX-
tract as ii were, from the volatile essences
of the Illustrations OF tie subject.
Most of those who spoke on dress reform
yesterday demonstrated their faith 10y their
fashions. Graceful women Were in evidence
apparently without the engines of compress
sion, loose waists and non-cauEht-up skirts.
Others wore costumes that flowed as grace
fully yovershoulder. waist andhipas aseam-
less garment, or as accommodating to the
sinuous outline as the drapery OF the >
daughters Of the Greek gods, ''divinely tall
and most dvinely fair
BY the courtesy OF the council Mr..
KiTetc hjian, secretary OF the Phil-Ar-
menian Association OF the Northeast, was
accorded the floor and spoke eloquently
OF the condition of Armenian women. He
paid the council the compliment of saying
that their voice would be potent to redress
the wrongs OF the oldest nation of the
world. now so sorely oppressed and dis
tressed
The reformation of dress was then taken
up. IN announcing the subject President
Sewall expressed pleasure at the large
attendance and declared that the subject
had been topic OF most important and
absorbing interest since Mother Eve had
plucked the fig leaf in the Garden OF Eden.
The report OF the committee on dress
| reform. prepared by its chairman, Mrs.
| Frances f. Russell, OF Minnesota, was
| read by Mrs. Rachael Foster Av"sy, OF
| Philadelphia Not much active commit
| tee work had been done except in the way
OF correspondence ana in sending out two
| papers, one TO men and one TO women,
| looking toward universal adoption OF a
| healthful and convenient dress for women
| in their work and exercise. The work OF
| the committee includes the carrying for
/ WdTu OF the Recommendations Ilaue DN
| the dreSSs reform committee of the New
! Eng land Woman's Club twenty years
| ago. The report condemned not only the
/ wearing of the corset. but the hoop skirt as
a serious hindrance to freedom OF move
meut. sss
| The dressing OF little girls in their fash
| iona BILE toggery, fettered and imprisoned on
account Of sex, was vigorously denounced
| upon the ground that the effect OF clothing
upon character begins with children, and
| they should be given an opportunity to be
perfectly free in their movements.
The newspapers deserve our thanks, the
report continued, for giving Us, along with
! fashion Illustrations of dehumanized pro-
portions, pictures OF bicycle and gymnasium
suits which do not interfere with freedom
| OF movement and dO not strike the OBJ
server as irnmodest In the opinion OF the
! committee no perfect dress has yet been
| devised.
The formal discussion of the subject was
opened by Rev. Ida c. Hulton, who spoke
on the ethics OF dress.
! 1T seems to me-" said she, there could
| be devised Il pattern which should do away
| with a continual change in the styles, but
| which would necessitate a change with
| each season, requiring the use Of enough
| material in order that the dry goods mer
| chants should not become bankrupt. Three
! things are necessary in reform dress-econ-
omy, comfort, and beauty"
Dress as an art, - was the subject of the
next address, by Miss Martha Strickland,
Of Michigan Miss Strickland is lawyer
| with quit. an extensive practice in Detroit
| aud to her belongs the honor of being the
first woman to argue case il the supreme
| court of Michigan.
If women dress themselves artistically,
said the speaker, and deman artistic cos
| TUNES we elevate great trade to the dignity
| of a profession. There is not any doubt but
| study. The perfect dressmaker OF the future
will be compelled to give much regard to
| the artistic, and the dress must be so made
as not to interfere with the graceful move
| ments ofthe wearer.
The ladies who ride the silent steed Were
ably represented in the person of the next
| speaker, Miss Frances Seayly, of MaSSa-
chusetts, who discussed improved dress from
a bicycle standpoint. Miss Seavly was
dressed in a neat, comfortable-a appearing
| black cycle uniform, with sailor hat to
match. IN vigorous style Miss Seavly an
nounced her opposition to boomers, be-
cause ii was simply an imitation Of men s
attire. She could never feel comfortable
without a skirt As model on reform bi.
cycle suit the young lady advocated n cos
tune consisting of loose but artistic
blouse and serge SKIRT similar to a riding
habit. 1t conforms to the motion Of the
body and hangs straight down the sides.
|
gored in the back. The costume is complete
with CATERS and sailor hat or bicycle cap.
1.-The hygieniC dress is nothing more than
an oxygienic Dress said Mrs. Ella A.
Richardson, OF Massachusetts, in her ad
dress upon Improved dress from a ny
gienc standpoint" 1t is such dress as
VIII enable the wearer to get plenty of air.
| 1t should be loose, so that a woman can
breathe from the bottom of her lungs. The
present style OF dress was characterized
as extremely unhygienic.
Mrs. Annie White Johnson, OF Chicago
discussed improved dress from the stand
points of comfort, health, and beauty.
Mrs. Clara Colby. of this city, spoke
! corset. The formal discussion was con-
Guided by an address by Miss Julia Pauline
Leavens, of Chicago, and somewhat famous
the country over for her efforts on behalf
OF dress reform. She was clad in q gown
OF black silk with moderate size sleeves
and a plain skirt. The garment was cut
square andlo at the throatand filled inwitt
white lace. Speaking of her own costume
she said there were no hooks or steels
| and she would not wear corsets. She
wore spring -heeIed shoes, thus allow
ing the entire weight OF the body to fall upon
the ball OF her foot.
Vice Pres ident Frances Bagley, of
Michigan, presided over the informal dis
cussion which followed. Mrs. Dietrich
Of Boston, took issue with her fellow towns
man, Miss Seavly, regarding bicycle cos
tunes and proved an earnest advocate~oi
bloomers in a mild form. DR.. Mary e
Green, OF Michigan, defended coEsets in q
vigorous manner, saying that il The corsets
were the same size as the waist no harm
was done Mrs. Anne 7. Scribner, OF Phila
u