The Washington herald., 1906-11-07
CLOTHES AND THE MAN.
JefTersOnlan Simplicity DID Not
Refer to Male Garments.


From Parsons Magazine.
The enterprising and imaginative Lon
don tailor who proposed blue coats with
velvet cuffs and collars and gilt buttons,
not 10 speak Of knee breeches, as an ap-
proprlate and pleasing dinner dress for
men in these days OF sOmber black and
loose neither garments, has stirred the re-
cusant soul Of sartorial America.
But why should patriotic Americans see
anything insidious, sinister, or ridiculous
in costume worn by the fifty-fve pa
triots who made the Constitution Of the
United States? Washington, Adams, JEFF
ferson. Franklin, Hamilton, and all the
conspicuous men Of their day wore col
ored coat. gilt buttons and knee breeches.
II is hard 10 see why 'Jeeffrsonian
Democrats" for instance. should protest
against knee breeches when they have
the stockinged shanks Of their protagonist
pleading against the ugly mystery OF
modern trousers. Nor did Jefferson scorH
ths Scft allurements Of ruffies at his
wrists. AS iate as 1898 we find him writ
ing Mary jefferson Eppes this illuminat-
ing counsel:
'efhe article Of dress is, perhaps. that
in which economy is the least 10 be rec
commended. II IS so important Tin mar
ried life) TO each 10 continue 10 please
the other that the happiness Of both
requires the most pointed attention to
whatever may contribute 10 it-and the
more as time makes fnr0ads on our per-
SON"
This was the opinion Of the champion OF
plain living at the sober and experienced
age Of hfty-five years. Thirty-six years
before. when be was but nineteen. Jeffer-
son held "a poor opinion Of men who paid
much attention 10 the adornment of their
persons:
AS for admiration. I am sure the man
who powders most, embroiders most, and
talks most nonsense, is most admired ;
though, 70 be candid. there are some
who have too much good se-se 20 es-
TEEN such mOnkey-like animals as these.
in whose formation. as the saying Is. the
tailOTs and BARRIERS 20 halves with God
Almighty"
There you have jefferson the ripe man
compared with jefferson the hOt-blOOded
youth. and in knee breeches at both ages.
Washington bore himself with dignity
and good taste at all times. that is the
testimony OF his contemporaries. The
Father of His Country" saw nothing
effete or belttling in small clothes or or
namental attire. His views on dress may
be partly understood from a letter writ
ten 10 his London agent ordering the
following:
a riding frock Of a handsome. drab-
colored broadcloth, with plain double gilt
buttons
a riding waistcoat of superfine scarlet
cloth and gold lace, with buttons Ike
those Of the coat.
"A blue suTtOut coat
"A neat switch whip. silver cap.
Black velvet cap for servant
Nor must We forget that Lord Bacon.
one of the wisest and gravest OF mankind
he also wore knee breeches-cOnfessed
in writing. that as lord chancellor, he
had accepted bribe consisting Of gold
buttons about the value Of E6G
Shakespeare and Milton were innocent
OF trousers. and yet Unashamed. Imag-
Inc COrtes lOr Sir Walter Raleigh without
hose and ruff, Think Of Alexander or
Caesar or Romeo or the Cid in ''pants"'
And 20 add 10 the confusion Of the hour
comes the news that King Edward no
longer sets the fashions for male ad0rn-
ment that British mascuiinity ignores
the royal 'pearl-cOlOred fedora hat and
gray frock coat" save for the gentlemen
OF the household" who dare not commit
such treason.
Ichabod, Where now shall We look for
guidance? II is a degenerate age. and
even the high silk hat is spoken of dis
respectfully.