The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-15
OF INTEREST TO WOMEN
AN ARTIST TELLS HOW TO CHOOSE
BECOMING COLORs IN DRESS.
A Pleasant Way Of Recording Happy
Observation-Disclosures a Great
AttractfOn-Toilet Hints.

''Teu you how to choose becoming col
ors?" said William Chase, a well-known
artist to a writer in the Philadelphia In
quirer do you know that is about the
hardest question 1 have ever been called
upon TO answer? Why, artists study years
to acquire such knowledge. and many Of us
descend to our graves feeling we have not
mastered the secret.
THE art of dressing well does not depend
on the selection of cOlors alone, but on the
form. The old Greeks are the ones women
should study when seeking graceful ef-
fects, and if they wish harmony of colOrs
let them study old Japanese prints.
"Of course blondes should always choose
what are known among artists as cool col
ors; for example, blues pinks, greens, the
many shades of violet also white or black.
Brunettes have all the warm tones-yellow,
orange, red. with few puppies and blues
to select from.
1T is more difficult for blonde than a
brunette to dress becomingly. All women
with light hair or eyes fancy they should
wear blue, especially delicate tints of
azure whereas very few of them can at
tempt it successfully. Only blondes with
perfect compilations ought ever attempt
pale blue Yet it is very generally becom-
ing to brunettes. Such women do not need
perfect compilations, as 1t throws out what
little color they may have in cheeks and
lips and has the effect of clearing the skin.
The same may be said of delicate shades
of yellow, while the reverse is true of
pink. Almost any type excepting a very
red blonde-I mean one with a florid skin
may wear pink safely, whereas the bru-
nette or brown-haired woman has to be
careful to secure the right shade. She
needs a pink with suggestion of yellow.
Another thing to remember about pink
it is a shocking telltale, revealing the raw
ages of time in the cruelest way. When
ever the cOncealment of age is cOnsdera-
ton it should be avoided.
Moreover, let every women bear in mind
that pink and red should be worn above
in preference to below the face. l never
saw a woman who was improved by one
Of these pink or red collars they are wear
ing now-what do you call them? Stocks.
Well, red and pink stocks take the color
out of the face, and as rule, make the
complexion yellow.
But the strangest mistake to me is that
women insist on wearing a color simply
because it is fashionable and without any
regard to beCOmingness. L remember once
being called on TO paint girl, quite pref
ty Jewess she was. and dark, OF course,
who wore a horrible blue waist. 1 mean
horrible for me. Why, l couldn't see the
girls face, for that detestable bodice
seemed to shrek and scream at me. l re-
monstrated, but she declined to make a
change, owing 10 the extreme fashionable
ness of the color. What can we artists do
when ladies think more Of fashion than
taste?
If you clever shoppers would only take
the goods before buying, throw it against
the face and use your eyes, you could easily
decide whether or no a color was becoming.
When you do chance to have an unbecom-
ing tone, the effect can be modified by using
white or cream near the face. White for
blondes and cream for brunettes. That is a
point which all women would do we'll to re-
member. Only the fairest and best cared
for blondes should risk ivory white. All
others had best cling to cream tints.
Dark green's, blues and puppies must
never be attempted by women who have
dark circles under their eyes or whose
faces have a tendency to hOllows. Such
women need fame-red, for instance.
"A red-hared woman had best shun all
the reds. Though missing some beauti-
full shades, i think she has wider range
to select from than any other type, unless
ii is the brilliant brunette.
"Of course, no woman whose hair has
the slightest suggestion of gold or sun
shine should wear yellow next to it. Moth
ing takes away the color and lustre so
completely. Various shades of red and
lighter blues look well; then, of course,
white or a bit of bright purple; but other
jority to avoid using them in the hair.
From the standpoint Of an artist, | ad-
mire white and black gowns more than any
other. When properly designed, L have
never seen a woman to whom such a dress
was unbecoming.