Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-09-21
RATES or ADVERTISING
PASSED kwAY.
Why the Wrapper Is No Longer
Worn by Women of Fashion.


The spassing of the wrapper is Q
change In the dress of woman That has
more than a modish significance. Ii
has bearing as well on many other
aspects OF American remiaity. The
wrapper was the sweeping symbol OF
home relaxation and comfort not many
years ago. It's pleasures were not al.
ways to be enjoyed only in the midst
of the family circle. Sufficiently or.
rate. il could appear before strangers
ard that period was long in advance
OF the teagOwn. The wrapper passed
beyond its domestic limiIs, and carried
its suggestion of freedom from stays
and conventional garb into wider
spheres. II appeared on the piaZZas OF
summer hotels in the eighties. and was
the accepted breakfast toilet for the
head of the most formal family and
the other women of the house. The
vogue of the wrapper in those days
was not connected with any lack OF
worldly knowledge or unwillingness
10 learn the best mode and abide by IT.
The garment needed 10 apology. In
towns outside OF New York its useful
ness was more extended. Shopping IN
a wrapper was no violation Of West
ern and Southern proprieties then IL
enough for the convenience OF the
wearers Materials in those past ages
were not as important as they came
TO be- Richness was not necessary TO
excuse the wrapper Its folds no more
violated the correct ideas OF things be-
cause they hung in calico and lawn
than If their substance were damaSk.
Cherished for its comfort and accepted
as a fashion. IL seems inconprenensi-
BILE that the wrapper should have as
appeared so completely. But II has
gone When il comes into vogue again.
its revival will he discussed. as the
chiSnon and crinoline were talked
ahout when IL was thought they might
be worn.
The Mother Hubbard Is a small dis
aster In woman's dress still remember
ed. II spread over the country ana
could not be dislodged. 1t became an
object of public scorn and ridicule. yet
It remained on view longer than any
body wanted il to. 1t was the butt or
every humorist. When II finally disap-
peared. the wrapper had received It's
first serious blow as a popular gar
ment. Anything with looseness tias
resembled the departed Mother HuD-
bard was not to- he thought or. Inc III
repute which attended the hnal de-
rarture of the Mother Hubbard put
temporary end to any dress that re-
produced its flowing looseness. Thus
was the vogue of the wrapper nrst
damaged. 1t never recovered. other
Influences came in 10 complete the
work OF its final extinction. The
Younger generation became athletic.
There was no sympathy between lawn
tennis and wrapper. The older gen
Grafton grew as tailor made as it could,
and every influence was against the
revival of the wrapper. Corsets lost
their appearance to the younger WON
on. and on the relief from tight stays
rested much of the wrappers popu-
larity. Physicians say that women
lace less now than they did some years
ago. and prove that by showing now
much larger their waists have grown.
But neither its graceful draperies nor
its becoming folds held for the wrap
per it's place in woman's regard. ~
was the opportunities IL gave Tor re
lief from tight STAYS. When these
wore not needed. the wrapper lost us
last hold on favor Golf and the bi-
cycle have kept up the work begun
nv tennis. The wrapper lost It's last
hold or fashion when women were
comfortable enough IN tieir oorsets 10
keep them on.