The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-16
FOR FEMININE READERS
WOMEN WITH LONG SKIRTS GROW
oNE-sIDED FROM LIFTING THEM.
In Spite of What Theorists Say, Prac-
tfcaI Mothers spank Their Children
What TO Buy I'm Paris.

~woman," says a Baltimore physician, rs
addicted 70 being fashionable beyond the
point OF accepting advice, and would rather
place herself In the illogical position of hold
ing up a long skirt 10 a sensible point, than
save herself this trouble by wearing one
originally cut TO that point. Just why this
Is so is a psychological mystery, but 1t is
so. and until the long skirt is a thing Of
the past, she will go on her way, deliber-
ately planning misery for herself, and in
ficting punishment on a member which
should be treated with greatest considera-
ton, particularly If beautifully outlined, for
the charm OF a lovely hand, wrist and arm
is indeed a rich heritage for its possessor."
Various devices have been made for skirt
holding, but woman has not taken kindly
TO them. despite their practicability and
value Fashion frowned on them, and that
settled 1t as far as womankind was con-
cerned. II the mighty ruler wants an arm,
an arm must be given, and the sacrifice,
strange to say, is considered slight. 1t is.
IN comparison with the many more vital ele-
ments Of health sacrificed by woman at this
same altar.
"AestheticalIy considered, I don't believe
any woman Of the army which sides along
clutching at its skirts knows just how much
of a thing Of beauty and grace-she isn't.
Other women doing the same thing don't
see in the one-sided contortioned, graceless
figure ahead a reproduction Of their own.
They admit that the woman ahead is not
managing thirgs in any sort CT satisfactory
way, but feel sorry for her. and thank
heaven that they are so much more graceful
about IL.
They are not, however. and an observer
can see that there is little choosing be-
tween the various figures presented. The
right shoulder is necessarily lowered TO al
low the hand to reach the skirt low enough
after allowing for all the twists, kinks and
wrinkles necessary TO grind the arm into the
required shape. The left shoulder is thrown
up two inches to compensate for the two
inch lowering Of the right, and the hips are
arranged at a corresponding pitch, the ten
dency Of nature being TO tremendously adj
just all parts &C the body to a new position
taken by any one part, thereby maintain
h result OF this is a marked slant from
left 10 right of the entire body, the head be-
ing held upright, accentuating the slant Of
the shoulders. A graceful carriage is an i'm
possibility under such conditions, not taking
Into consideration the impeachment to walk
ing formed by the bundle OF surplus skirting
at the heels
atoms. A woman can, but should never,
look any way but well poised and graceful;
she can, but she should never, Sacrifce laws
OF common sense for fashion. These are
throw TO the winds, but where health and
strength and the happiness they imply are
al stake deeper motives should control. 1t
ought never happen that a beautiful arm
should lose that charm and become a source
OF misery because fashion has designed a
skirt that must be held up.