Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-08-26
I'M THE WOMAN'S WORLD

J to regulate the bathing suits and stage
Cottumes of women.
But this is more or less Spasmodic,
and is usually called forth by some
particular eXageration of style on the
nothing more than a brainstorm pro-
duced in the mind of a man by a
glimpse Of something that offends his
Individual idea of propriety
But the fact remains that it is WON
en-, and not men. that bring upon
themselves adverse criticism in the
matter of clothes
However. when the heads of large
firms and the boards of directors of
prominent corporations find is neces-
sary to issue special rules and regula-
tons as to swhat the women in their
employ shall wear, it certainly .re:I>2ts
upon the Judgment, good taste and
common sense OF women
The president of a big concern that
EMPLOYS a hundred of more women in
its various offices; in clerical capacities
discussed the question the other day
at meeting Of his board Of directors.
and as a result the edict has gone
forth that every woman on the paw
roll mnst in future appear at her desk
In high-necked "apaque" shirt waist
and going to and from the office in a
plain neatly tailored suit and an in
conspicuous hat.
He explained to his colleagues the
reason for his insistence on this rule.
even is raise of salary should he
necessary to bring about the result he
desired.
He ventured the belief. however.
that the cost of the outfit recommend
cd was no greater that that which the
girls were having for the frillv lingerie
finery and droopv-plumed hats with
which they had for some time been
decking themselves.
In the course of his remarks he
said:
81 should consider myself a snob
and totally unworthy the name Of gen.
tleman if / were to na6s any girl in
our employ on the street and inten-
tionlv evade speaking to fer. but
frankly confess that is takes more
courage than / possess to meet the
look Of incredulous surprise and dis
approval reflected in the eyes of nv
wife and daughter of any woman
whose, company am in when l bow to
one of them the way they are dressed
now. ..:>
"And it is embarrassing beyond
words" he continued. when nv. fin
pant fellow-clubman with me gingerlv
"a Uses his hat because I do. and auer-
les, Who's YOUR friend?' when hove
to explain that the girl is one of our
stenographers. .. ...~ -.
81 take the stand that it detracts
from the dignity of our corporations,
and since these women have not irdg-
ment enough of their own as to the
fitness of their clothes to- the demand
of our business prestige. the whole
matter must be regulated for them"
And is he. not right2 ..
Certain of the large stores in town
demand that their women employees
wear black one-piece gowns, with
their hair simply dressed, without rats
or puffs or other hirsute excreseences.
and they are striking contrast to the
girls in other establishments where
the firms permit them to exercise their
own weird and individual fancy in the
matter of dress and the arrangement
OF their eoiffures. #..
While never a word is said to the
men employed in the same business
with them as to how they shall dress.
it is seldom that the man who is sell
ing you ribbon suggests by his clothes