The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-06-17
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We hear G great deal about that unfor-
tunate being, the woman who forgets to
a certain extent the flight of time, and
who continues when past middle age to
don the youthful costumes Of her girl
hood.
We have her served up in song and
script from Herrick down to the comic
weeklies, until the subject becomes as
wearisome. as it is unnecessary and vul-
gar.
Is it not rather on the opposite side that
modern matrons err? How often
one sees a fresh and fair little matron
OF from 40 to As. dressed to represent
her grandmother set in alabaster. And,
while the unfortunate referred 10 above
mas more ridicule heaped upon her and is
more conspicuous. yet the little woman of
middle age. who insists on speaking of
herself as old and decrepit. and dressing
accordingly. is really the most unnatural
of the two.
American women, and especially Phil
adelphians. retain through life q freshness
of complexion and youthful look, SO that
were it not for a certain matronly touch
to the figure a mother in our city would
often be taken for the sister of her own
daughter. And why shoul these charm
ing attributes be concealed by ~funereal
hues and a general dowdiness of attire?
OF course, there is a limiting year, per-
haps, after which a hat is unsuitable,
just as the baby discards lace caps when
she enters upon school curriculum. But
then the fact that hats have been dis
carded does not mean that the bonnet
should not be chic and trim and becom-
ing. with a bright ribbon and a flower.
That a womans neckwear should be
careless and ill-adjusted.
1t is very often only at IS or there
abouts that a man and his wife becomes
sufficiently free from business and house
nctd cares to be young together. To live
a social life among friends, to entertain
ana otherwise really enjoy themselves.
My real youth didn't begin until I
was over AS" said a weIl-known Phila-
delphia entertainer not long ago. mot
until my children were grown and able
to care forsthemselves, and until money
matters We're placed with US on a firm
basis. which needed no pinching and wor-
rying about. And that with most people,
as with US, comes after the first flush of
youth is past.
Childhood and girlhood are sweet and
tender things, but they are not as a
IN lail6 liz idRPICo bl1hCof OSooG
the minds of the young being unframed
and undeveloped are apt to make mis-
cry for themselves from trihes and petty
trials which a developed woman would
laugh at. No, indeed. the poetasters can
sing ana rhyme all they want about the
lost delights of their lost youth. Give me
the youth which comes after 40 or So"
Il am too cid for the theatre" I once
heard that absurd phrase from the lips
of a matron who was not more than 45
If she was a day. And when the little
woman was finally persuaded to accom-
pany her husband to the play she enjoyed
the little outing with its attendant oyster
supper with as much zest as a boarding
school girl off for a holiday, as was only
natural.
/ know women, both married and un-
married. who look upon this real youth
as a land of promise which they have
finally entered after the cares of develop
ment. And it is a gay household which
contains one of these lucky beings. One
can always tell the husband of such a
woman and her sons and daughters also
from the adoring looks lavished upon her.
The stout woman who has reached this
age often finds tasteful dressing a vexed
problem.
There are several fallacies, too, which
prevail in d-ressmaking establishments
which serve to perplex and mislead her.
One of these is the firm idea that in order
to look well all gowns for a woman in
clined to embonpoint mu be made tight
fitting, pinching almost. Whereas, the
opposite suggestion is really the one need
ed. Drapery hides many defects of this
kind.
A basque which does not accentuate
the hips will be sought by the artistic
woman a little inclined to the too solid
flesh, and a loose front to a gown has
often concealed a bust of size.
No doubt there are many women who
have been born and bred in the tight-bod-
Observation-Disclosures theory. who will
scott at the idea of employing drapery as
a remedy; but, nevertheless, that supreme
artistic and costumer, Sara Bernhard,
finds the clinging gowns and. artistic dSA-
peries of infinite service in concealing the
undesirable flesh which is slowly but sure
ly approaching with coming age.
And so wonderfully does she conceal
her embonpoint that in her theatrical roles
it entirely escapes the notice, thanks to
drapery and clever eyes.
The thin matron has rather an easier
task than her stout sister, although
angles and a general skinny air form
her costuming griefs. But then the thin
woman's complaints are often to be rem
edied by padding. which dressmakers
are only too willing to use. This padding
must be used most judiciously, say some
of our foremost physicians, in order that
no evil results to the health from its
use.
AS the stout women tries to do away
with the. drapery which is her salvation
as far as costuming goes, SO does the
matron who has no flesh to spare try
to lay on unnecessary drapery. To cause
her clothes ito be made too large for
her, too baggy and loose. In reality, the
thin women will often look quite up
to the mark in taiior-made gowns which
fit well. And there is no law to ordain
thai her gown should contain material
enough for a camping tent.
But happy is the women who finds
that delightful period of youth which
does not come until 40 is past. Who
knows that the secret of being young
is to feel so? Who knows the value of
smart neckwear, the pretty gloves which
are always in reauisition. sand a chic