The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-07
'-'fP PHILOSOPHY
There Is Reason in All Things,
Even Fashions Whims, and Ex-
+, % trnvagant Expenditure Has It's
II Valiant Defenders. "

& Just why 1t has escaped the world at large
that the summer season is the greatest and
most important season OF wear is not clear at
this moment To be sure, provision was al
ways made for summer attire. but the oppor-
tunity Of making 1t very diverse, of having a
wide range of summer costumes suited for a
great many different uses, appears to be de-
veloping more systematically. There is the
summer dress for street wear, for business
wear. for driving. for morning, for afternoon,
Tor golf, for tennis for boating and for many
other purposes not mentioned just here.
That all these are to be washable or made
OF lingerie materials will give an adequate
idea Of the possibilities of thin dressing for the
fashionable as we'll as the average woman.
The great point Of this arrangement is, that
for the woman who Is compelled to be eco
nomical, and whose surroundings force her
to keep up an appearance Of style at the
same time, the opportunities Of wash dressing
is particularly acceptable. A whole wardrobe
OF linens, organdies, mulls and swisses can be
bought for the price Of one dress maker-made
silk, lace or even etamine gown. The woman
Of intelligence understands this and profrs;
thereby.
But there is the other phase. In no field
can the extravagant woman spend her money
more quickly and more strikingly. In no
other class Of fabrics is there such diversity
and such striking surprises in beauty and eff
feet as in wash and lingerie dresses.
Silks, .woolens and velvets are barriers be-
tween the artistic self and the admiring eye.
Lingerie and wash gowns are seductive and
show Just enough to fascinate. The artful of
her sex understands this too WE'LL and uses 1t
to its utter1nost.
1t is unquesttonably the daring Of the barred
arm, the transparent guimpe, revealing Just
enough billowy beribboned underwear that
adapts itself most easily to feminine idea and
mischievous disposition. The French make a
great study OF this kind of thing They know
the allurements Of feminine grace, and conse--
Guently have never become too athletic in
their chosen methods Of attiring themselves.
They know that to lose the atmosphere of
the tender, delicate feminine woman Is to lose
the great power OF control over the opposite
sex, which, after all, is esteemed to be the
chief business of womankind
Therefore, there is reason Of every kind in
the introduction Of a wirsome program Of
lingerie attire. From shirt waist to entire
costume 1T is the lacy, embroidered, dainty
saehet and ribbon atmosphere that will win in
the coming periods. There may be steel be-
meath the velvety exterior, both in muscles
and IN corset stays, but the external view
must not disclose it,. The whole tone must
be one Of softness, svelte, elastic, willowy and
never fst II 1t can be helped. In fact, this
whole study of dress is a study of the ar
tistic development, not only Of attire, but Of
existence. The stylish, well-appearins
woman Of mind, energy occupation in order
to appear as well as she. may care to- Nc
indulgence for the professional beauty, you
know. She lives on diet according to rule
and must deny herself luxury, comfort and
carelessness Of mind or body
So you see philosophy is mixed up with so
col lad l1,1y, MI
old philosophers to answer that the won an
OF fashion of to-day might PROFOUND that
would shake the beliefs Of ages to answer Is
1t better to spend money for things that give
occupation to countless workers, to live a
fashionable life and work hard, or to resign
ones self to the commonplace, that means
boarding money and relapsing into state
OF doing nothing? So you see our lingerie
Season has much to do with the wage earners.
the dressmakers and those who need the
money, that we spend whether we can afford
it or not {.