Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-10-26
FOR ELDERLY WOMEN.
Some Suggestions in Regard to Hot
Weather Clothes.


for the prevention of cruelty to old
ladies in the matter of hot weather
dress. The very hot weather we have
been enduring lately makes this prob
lem an important one. Old gentlemen
are allowed to be easy and comfortable
in loose cotton coats, turn-down col
lars and soft neckties, but the old
ladies-well, they're inundated upon
the altar of style altogether too often.
Il don't want shirt waist; I want
a sack. ! don't care whether it's
fashionable or not. It's comfortable,
and I've really served my apprentice
ship to style long ago, it seems to me.
I'm old enough now to wear what l
like without regard to fashion"
! Elderly people feel both heat and
cold more than younger ones, as a
general thing. Mindful of this, let
the summer wardrobe include at least
one soft but warm wooden dress of
easy make and yielding quality, and
let the muslin sacks be plentiful. Let
almost everything made for grandma
be long enough to cover the band of
her skirt. There is nothing In the
world more distressing to a dainty old
lady than the perpetual necessity of
pinning up her skirt. Have the skirts
made sufficiently long to hang grace
fully, but don't have them long enough
in front to be perpetually in the way,
and be sure they are light in weight.
If the dear lady to whom the gift of
many years has been added doesn't
like the "new-fangled' combination
suits which the rest of us wouldn't do
without, provide plenty of soft, long
chemises, only being sure that these
are neither too light nor heavy in
quality, and not too full for comfort
Let her shoes be easy, just the right
width and not Dlt stiff, and provide
several pairs of each kind, if possible,
In order that succession of changes
may be possible for the feet tired with
life's long march. If the dear old
hands feel better clad in kid gloves
see that these are provided, but don't
forget a pair or SO of soft silk ones for
very hot weather, and don't frown
upon or smile at the cotton or thread
ones which grandma loves for the
garden. If she chooses to wear them
for church and driving, whose bust
ness is it?
For best" wear there is nothing
prettier for elderly ladies than the new
foulard silks They may be had in all
sorts of black and white, black and
gray and gray and white patterns and
designs, and delightful compromise
between fashion and comfort may be
achieved by their aid. Let grandma
wear such a silk over a soft and pliable
summer corset and let the bodice be
made carefully, with loose throat and
easy waistband of soft ribbon or the
material. Purchase for her also a
light, simple bonnet of black or gray
open straw, and have it trimmed just
as much or as little as she desires. If
she hates wells leave them out of the
wardrobe entirely. If she is addicted
to them buy several-a rather heavy
one for windy days, a couple of the
cobwebby variety, and at least one of
fine sewing silk or gauze. A soft
fichu or two of either black or white
will finish the tops of her best gowns
artistically, comfortably and becom-
ingly and the house and everyday
gowns and sacks should have turn
down ruflies of the material, lace
edged or Of lace alone. as liked. Don't
forget two wraps, one very light and
one comfortably warm, plenty of
suitable slippers and stockings, a fan
or two and a good sun umbrella or
parasol. If grandma is of the kind
that likes outdoor life and loves to
make garden in summer, see to it
that rubbers, light shawls and sun
hat are within easy securing. And
above all, do eschew the shirt waist
entirely. It's a charmingly useful
and becoming garment for younger
women, but for figures which have
lost something of their useful grace
and erectness grandma is very
wise and sensible in declaring that she
will have none of 1t.