Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-01
BY ELIZA CALVERT HALL

the girls
Talk about the gowns l used to wear before
married. exclaimed Mrs. Graham. IF William could
see me in one of them now, he'd run from me-.
IF do get to voting, we'll make it
misdemeanor for man to criticize womans Clothes
said Mrs. Davidson, who member of an Equal
Rights Association and suspected of having suf-
ragete tendencies. "To hear Andrew talk YOU d think
he was connoisseur woman dress and as matter of
fact, he doesn't know shirtwast from cover
Keep still!' said Mrs Smith softly. Il to hear
what Roberts saying
Out of the silence rose Smiths voice. clear strong
and confident. Il don't mind the changes SO
much" he sad Sn fact, think men are too much
given old customs in the OF dress Every time
l put of the newfanged shirts open down the
'front.' l wonder why some of didn't think OF that
twenty years ago
"Yes" complained Brown, @and as soon as we men
got to fastening shirts in 'front.' the took
fastening their gowns the back and weve got to
do double duty buttoning and unbuttoning.
"Thats just where the advantage of these frequent
changes comes in, continued Smith. This way of
fastening womans gown in the back may become obso-
ete in week No matter how bad style may be,
you know it isn't going to last long. But do complain
of the lack of Judgment show in attempting to
follow every fool fashion that comes out Saw for in
stance, that last years styles becoming
and this years styles are wholly unbecoming. Com
and good ought lead her to stick to
last years Styles but she won't do it. She chucks the
becoming clothes into the ragbag puts on the unbe-
coming ones, and faters herself she's well dressed"
4 can stand the hats and bonnets said Brown; "but
it's these styles of hair dressing that worry me- these
pompadours and rats and false puffs and braids. If
woman is good looking to begin with, she hardly
spoil her beauty, matter what of hat and gown
she wears, long she is satisfied with her hair
and arranges it suit the of her face That's
all ask Of a woman. Why, its got can't enjoy
play sermon for looking the false hair and the
combs and pins and the of the paraphernaia they
pile on their heads nowadaysl"
HERE! l can't stand this any longer said Mrs
Brown, rising hastily. Lets go back and put a
stop to this foolishness. must say she remarked as
she entered, you gentlemen dscourteous. We
withdrew from the room and gave you permission to
smoke and you abuse kindness by saying mean
things about clothes.
Not at all, at ALL said Brown. sThere was
nothing personal in remarks. We only making
few observations womens dress in general and the
present fashions in particular.
@You couldn't have selected subject about which
you know less, said Mrs. Brown coldy, and the other
Endorsed the sentiment by smiles and looks.
a may not be Worth, my dear" said Brown with
studied courtesy; "but at least know when woman's
dress is beautiful and becoming and have hesitation
in saying that the present fashions neither
the other"
4The trouble said Davidson sagely, 3is that the
motive of woman's dress is totally wrong. You know
everything must have the right motive nothing about
it will be right. book has not the right motive sa
failure no matter how beautifully 1t may be written and
how elegantly bound. So it is with wonlans dress It's
costly and up date; but it has the wrong motive
dresses to please the milliner and the dress
maker she ought to dress to please her husband
4 dress from self respect and to keep from looking
like rght-that's good enough motive for anybody"
said Mrs. Graham 1oftily.
Il see myself dressing to please who thinks a
plain neat calico is the most becoming thing woman
wear!' said Mrs Smith, with icy look at Mr..
Smith.
Suppose you feline exactly what kind of clothes would
please your taste, Andrew suggested Mrs Davidson