The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-20

f<l AM much interested in what you
 - say on the dress question. To me
 1t resolves itself into matter of
 appropriateness or suitability, and
 not altogether point of custom. Not long ago my attention was attracted by two women, one elderly, with snow white hair and a face of great dignity and sweetness, the other. much younger. still in her teens. Both seemed suitably gowned, and yet for color the style was the reverse of what would have been con sidered correct in my day. q am on the shady side of 50.) The older woman wore & costume, hat. and wrap of vivid apple green. while the younger woman had on hat and coat of black taffeta and skirt of black and white in the same material. Both suits were severe in cut, and both women seemed suitably clad. The solid black of the younger woman's suit was best for her, because her youth and vital , ity enabled her to carry it off, while the bright tint of the elder woman's costume reflected the light and sunshine to great advantage. White is the best choice, and has many advantages; and black should. as a rule, be avoided. unless it is broken with a stripe or check of white. To my mind, an ivory Wnlie clOth COstuiu iiiitu with a shade of yellow, rose, or green, is the most esthetic and healthful costume an elderly woman can wear. Pique, serge, corduroy. or other materials can be sub stftuted Even a strong constitution. either in man or woman, is less well. physically or mentally, in black or dark colors. Eventually men as well as women will feel like newly regenerated creatures. mentally and bodily, when black and dark clothing is entirely out of date. Intelli- gence will one day regulate the style in which our clothes are made. and if while seeking this mistakes are made 1t IS no more than can be expected in an era Of experiments. Let us think for ourselves and do the right and the minor points will adjust themselves. Do not fear to be conspicuous, my dear sisters. Wear a beautiful white costume any time you feel like it--until you are hundred years old. if you choose. c. A. L..
 I wonder how many of our Cornerites agree with the stand taken by this cor respondent. For my own part, confess that I like black better than white on many occasions, and do not think it need of necessity affect the health or spirits of the wearer To me it is much more pleas ing to see an elderly woman dressed in neat black. frightened by little white at the neck, than to behold her clad in white or colors when she is the unfortunate pos sessor of an unwieldy or corpulent figure. In this day there are so many light and attractive black fabrics that no one need feel that she produces the effect of gloom when she abjures colors. Moreover while admire white and love to wear it myself recognize fully that the expense of keep ing it clean is serious drawback with many women. Such an ivory cloth cos- tune as the correspondent suggests un- doubtedly would be lovely, but it would have to go frequently to the cleaners. and always at a rather trying cost. Even white wash frocks swell the family laun- dry to an uncomfortable extent and in- crease the labors of the woman who does all or much of her own work. A daintily