The Washington herald., 1908-03-05
FROM WOMAN S
POINT OF VIEW

1 It is all very well for the woman OF un-
! limited means or abundant leisure 10 take
up fad for white garments, for TO be
immaculate one must have innumerable
changes and discard garments at tie
first appearance Of dirt. The woman Of
moderate means has 10 consider expense
from every side. and dark clothing will
Of necessity be her choice. She may have
one tubbable frock with wash waists.
but she can scarcely afford larger sup
ply.
| 1t is possible to look very trig and trim
without light clothing There are linens
and chambrays in blue, green, brown,
and rose-red, and foulards In all celors.
The last-named are the most satisfactory
materials for ali but cold weather street
dresses than can be found. watched a
well-kEown actress dress for the street.
the other day, and was struck by her good
sense at a time when the laundry prob
lem was puzzIing. She was doing a round
OF the vaudeville houses. and it left no
time for the laundering OF fancy under
wear and shirt waists. so she was wear
ing woven garments that need no iron
! ing and that are easy 20 wash out in a
/ hand bowl and dry IN the bathroom.
Her waists were cleansed in gasoline and
her maid did all Of both kinds Of work
for her.
This woman had the reputation Of be-
ing among the best-dressed women Of
the stage. and does not have TO consider
economy; yet she is doing the very thing
/ that should appeal 10 poorer women. She
/ IS wrestling with the problem OF making
/ lie easy and losing nothing IN appear
ance and comfort by the result. Elab-
crate underwear is lovely TO look upon,
but it is not worth the consideration
Of women who lack both money and
| leisure. I wonder what would happen
If we turned about and began 10 con-
slider ways and means OF subtracting
from the burdens OF life rather than add
\ ing 20 theml We shall probably never
know because we are not likely 10 try
the experiment, but it is worth thinking
about
know few. very few. women who
have been forced by circumstances to
make change IN their mode of life, and
one or two OF them have confessed to
/ enjoying IL. TIE scarcity Of good domes-
tic service has compelled housewives 20
put on their thinking caps and make
housework easy. so plain living has be-
come = habit with them. They first
sought out homes containing no more
than the rooms the family actually need
ed, and two single beds In one room
were made 10 ill the needs OF two who
had formerly occupied separate rooms.
Then all extra furnishings were ban
ished. and the effect was found to be
pleasing while the work was materially
lightened. I do not believe that we know
how little we really need TIL we are re-
duced 10 tho necessity OF cutting cut
luxuries. A man and woman who spend
good deal OF time on a yacht where
space is at a premium became so accus-
toned TO simple surroundings that they
decided TO transfer the yachts furnish
ing 10 a little fat IN the city. which they
leased for the winter months Money
has no bearing on the matter. for their
income warrants luxuries-they have
taken view OF life from another stand
point and find more interesting things
than useless furnishings and better en-
p!oyment than the care needed FOR them
BETTY BRADEEN