New-York tribune., 1900-09-12
INDIVIDUALITY IN DRESS.
MRS. CooNLEY-WARD DISCUSSES Be
COMING ATTIRE FOR WOMEN

WHY DRESS REFORMS FAIL.

Il has become matter OF speculation among
Eew-Tork State Federation women whether any
Of the menbers viii az tie meeting IN Novem-
Der follow the wholesome advice given by Mrs.
Lydia Avery CoonIey-Ward as 70 the appropriate
srsss 70 be wo-u 81 conventions At the NIL
Ezakes biennial Mrs CoonIey- Ward read a paper
y The Individuality ot Dress" in which she said
z pzrt:
Elegant simplicity = desirable. We must not
st Cur Federation meetings degenerate into dress
psrsass Il is our privilege 10 stand for q dress
mat sAaA oe simple and sensible well ss beaut-
NJ and common sense and beauty are not easily
divorced We have or duties in this direction.
and we should not neglect them. II matters Of
dress there Is reason why the Federation OF
Os Paris.
Mrs. CooRley-ward believes IN happy medium
between The bizarre q the Partisan modistes and
The ungainly o. the dress reforms. as she says:
The ideal dress should have individuality. and
should De practical and beautiful Dress reforms
tEA because they ignore beauty. Fashion fails be-
:a1Ee II aims a. Eovc-tv and sensation with small
Hats should be as different as their wearers IN
shape, color and size but they should follow sym
n1et,ica- lines and De chosen from an individual
Haas With evening dresses are shockingly inap-
proPra-e. The combination Of z hat with low
5 Le-Aso ecsss Is rldicu!ous oeyonq expression,
sLe-g n rs testimony 10 the reckless vanity OF
Is Se1.er. anc scarcely more harmonious than a
Teilsl o., that they might AL be lost. An ocu-
Isl says ma ever dcf on q veil IS worth S 10
Wells are barriers; talking through 7en is as Il
g kept coor naIt shut II ends race
wearing them at entertainments verge upon rude
Bornets and wells are symbols ot separation. and
tey are therefore enemies tc social intercourse.
pass oy Or under. overl6ng1ng coTrices Of hair
5'oyes-DCT1 with the ryranrs, They are signs
q Lselessless- y hen We want work take
Ue1 o1- Hands are tools. and should not be tied
p Let Is follow mems example and be free TO
s.sr gloves OF not, as comfort and convenience
Pocksus-Cannot this Fedora ton support its
aei1oer1 r the demand for pOCkets-pockets con-
ssalsat 70 rhe hand and not following the line OF
- spIrz- column An essay might be written
- eoe point Can woman rise 70 great heights
we shs voluntarily han6icaps herself2 Are
Eoaen really afraid OF dressmakers2 Imagine q
l - slnT1it-trE q q tallors decree and wearing
pseketless clOThesi
When We ponder fundamental principles and cul-
GEsLe ou- r1nsciences until We realize that wrong
- clear away from our brains We shall realize
"a clothes should be primarily for comfort, and
e.9lc take care Of the Wearer-not be taken car6
q ~ 1er. We shall be strong enough 20 wear
-oLling on our bodies instead OF on our minds
Not long ago Dame Fashion looked over mans
wardrobe 70 what she could for the up-to-
c@te Eirl- Did she take the useful pocket2 Did
sne take The contorts lie sleeve. the sensible
p-heers2 No, she chose the worst and most
oil-oTTabe part q his cOsTume-the high starched
eol4af and clumsy srocK-and often used them with
gfeencie gowns midsummer chOkers. Some
EHes SIZE added the broad shirt front-the most
s.asrrts-tC part % MS toilet. Would any
osVs overlooked the good and seized the bad?