Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-20

Smart Figures Necessary
For the Empire Gowns

The continuance of empire fashions makes
1t necessary for women to get their figures
into condition to wear these models, and
as the long, clinging lines of these gowns
do not set fell over large hips, persons
who have superfiuous flesh or flabby mus
Giles should effect change by systematic
course of exercises.
Some excellent movements for reduction
and the strengthening of sinews may be
taken by placing the heels together, turn
ing the feet well out at as great an angle
as possible, keeping the body erect and the
chest expanded with the head W. Then
by slow degrees bend the knees, spreading
them as far as possible as the body sinks
to sitting position and in doing this the
heels must be raised. the whole weight of
the body coming onto the toes. OF course,
a heavy figure would find a difficulty in
this at first, but everything comes by prac-
tice, and these are excellent maneuvers
TO establish balance and to give elasticity
OF movement to those who have passed
their first youth. Then, still balanced on
the toes. rise erect. and lower the heels
fiat on the ground; repeat this over and
over again, say dozen times.
To make a change, raise the arms and
wave them over the head the body
sinks. allowing them to drop at the sides
as ii rises AS the exercise becomes easier
by practice, repeat it great many times
and even if the muscles seem tender after
ward, a cold bath and ample Self-maSSaee
will soon do away with the soreness. More
difficult is the second exercise. Stand fac
ing wall, the arms stretched out straight
in front and tho feet extended as much as
you can to retain the balance, the arms
horizontal. Keep the hands ten inches
apart. and let the elbows droop the body
is tilted forward, the palms against the
wall, fingers up When the chest and ribs
rest against the wall between the hands
the heels should be kept fiat; indeed the
more tn" figure rests against the wall the
more cfficacious is the exercise likely to be,
stretching the muscles of the hips and DIS
persing the fat. which yields to such active
exercise Pressing the hands against the
wall The while, the figure Is raised to an up
right position. and then the exercise is re-
peated. being careful not to become over
tired:
1t is good for the reduction of size to
keep the knees stiff. The figure is tent
forward ill the tips Of the fingers touch
the floor. In time the Size of the hips
must yield to SGch exercise. To produce n
slender figure it is capital plan to bend in
the same way sideways. 1t makes the fig
ure supple as well as tender. III this should
he done for half an hour every morning.
diminishes. the pursuance of the exercise
keeps the body in good condition: but owe r
fatigue must be avoided.
Some of the new corSetS. OF course, aid In
adapting tn" figure to dimensions demand
ed by fashion. The newest are very long,
though cOTsctieres thought all women
We're too large and needed to be held in.
Many lace in 10th back and front and some
models fasten at either Side of the front
and are without lacings in back TheSa are
for very stout women.
The curious extremes of princess and en-
pire have made two different models of
corsets popular, and it is for that reason
both extremely long and extremely short
varieties to be seen. But even FOR en-
pire stout woman will need long corset
and reduction exercises.