The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-08
The Gentle Art
OF Being Dainty

! 40 many girls have the idea that to
be dainty and refined one must
have untold wealth. must reveI in fine
clothes, perfumes, feed ones palate on
unheard of and decidedly fndigestible
eatables, hobnob with celebrities, take
on the airs Of people whom they i'm
agine are superior enough to ape and
altogether push out every semblance
or possibility of being dainty and re-
fined unless with the aid of dollars.
| Very true, money does make the
mare CO." 1t certainly can afford one
lots of comfort 1t certainly is very
nice to be able to eat where you wish.
to be able to go here and there In an
automobile. even If it is a taxicab, and
to indulge in soft raiment and delicate
perfumes. but the possession of any
one or all of these cannot and never
will make a girl dainty If she herself
does not want to be. Have you in your
travels found the average girl dainty?
She would no doubt claim that she
was. and in a very decided manner at
that. 1t seems strange the wide and
varied ideas girls have on this par
ticular subject They cannot see that
a grease spotted skirt or rundown
heels. even If worn in conjunction with
the most beautiful waist or hat will
keep girl from being called dainty.
1t doesn't matter how your tastes are
inclined. 1t is how you live up to them.
Indeed. to get down to hard and solid
facts, it seems difficult to find the av-
erage girl who really realizes the full
and comprehensive meaning of the
word daintiness. She would no doubt
tell you that cleanliness meant daintt-
ness. But it is more than cleanliness.
1t is good grooming. a bath every day.
particular attention to detail above all
things the fit and hang OF clothes and
the cleaning and brushing of them at
all times, no matter how inexpensive
or meager they are.
There are many girls who have but
a few dollars to spend on their wearing
apparel, yet they are spent to such
advantage and so judiciously that often
they have the appearance of girls with
substantial incomes. They take care
that every penny spent brings in full
penny's return, and Outlines more, pay
ing close attention to the selection and
fitness of their shoes. gloves and neck
wear. the arrangement of their hair
and that this arrangement suits them.
as well as particular care of the hands
and feet. But, even with all these, If
you do not elevate your mind you can
not improve your body. If your fea-
lures are ignorant, your mind blank
and your topics of conversation moth
ing more than shop you cannot ac-
Qulr6 LOaC Inlen OF Oa1nLlneSS you
crave. Environment is a great uncon-
scious factor and bound to leave it's
marks, whether good or bad. so it be-
hooves the girl who would be dainty
to be on her guard against lowering
influences.
If you have been travelling the I'M
tidy road it will seem little hard at |
first, but 8 every day goes by and you
add some new though almost imper-
ceptible improvement to your regular
routine, whether mental or physical. !
you will find yourself taking greater
pleasure in being dainty, in being sweet |
and clean, adding to your store of |
knowledge and broadening your views |
But just a last word-above all, be |
feminine Don't scorn all the fussi- |
ness of life such as ruff1es and puffs |
side frills and even high heels