Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-12-09
Virginia Thursday December 1915
The Hygiene Of Clothing.

There was time-and il is not long
past-when most ofthe sensible. hygienic
clothing in the market was ugly but since
then the wiser and more progressive
manufacturers have learned 10 combine
the health-promoting and the beautiful in
the style, the construction, and the fabric
of all classes of garments.
II is natural and right, Of course, that
girl should wishto wear becoming clothes;
but when She wears clothes that rob her
OF physical comfort, she defeats the very
purpose that she is seeking. Discomfort
in dress, like the uncomfortable sneeze,
is one of natures reflex warnings.
Fashion no longer DEGREES the unnat-
uralIy small waist. Tight clothing, never
theless. still girds and congresses differ
emf parts OF the body.
Tight stays not only distort the figure,
but redden the nose, and otherwise inlure
the complexion. Shoes that are too
small eventually change the contour OF
the most shapely foot, and cause the de-
velopment OF unsightly, painful aorasions
and enlarged joints. A tight, ill-ftting
collar or neckband induces headache, i'll
temper, and irritation, which promptly
show themselves in the eyes and The ex-
preston OF the face. A veil affects the
vision and the appearance of the eyes; if
carelessly adjusted, it may cause uncon-
scious reflex twitchings OF the facial mus
cles. Gloves that are too tight make the
hands appear, not smaller, but deformed.
Moreover, all of these self-imposed tor
ments are wasted, because the attempt at
deception does not deceive. The ordi-
nary eye cannot detect the difference OF
an inch, more or less, in the size OF the
human figure, or one-sixth of an inch in
the size OF shod foot or gloved hand
but the most casual observer cannot fail
to see the distorted curves, the ungrace-
full carriage OF the figure, the awkward
ness OF hands and feet, and the nervous
twitchings OF facial muscles.
Fits or misfits in clothing contribute not
only TO the bodily and the mental comfort
or discomfort; they contribute also TO the
maximum OF efficiency or inefficiency in
The work of the schoolroom, the office,
the home, the social life. To look well
physically, to feel amable, to think clearly,
to act forcefully and effectively, to feel fit
from the inside out and from the outside
in, is the right OF every person. II IS
well to remember that those who rise
above physical discomfort do so only at
the expense OF nerve energy.
Cleanliness of clothing, also, is an i'm
portant matter. The head OF "a school de-
partment, in referring TO young teacher,
said, "Miss So-and-so came very near
not getting her reappointment. Why ?
Oh, because she did not put on fresh
shirt waist often enough. In fact, she
had to be told before she realized that she
was untidy."
81 do moi see how you keep your net
guimpe so clean," said one business cir
to another.
81 don't keep it clean" was the blunt
answer at takes me just two minutes
at night to wash it, pull il into shape, and
hang it TO dry for fresh wear in the morn
ing"
II is wise 10 take minute stock ac
count OF oneself occasionally, with view
to personal reform.
Cleaning, brushing, and airing garments;
using two pairs of stays alternately, and
two pairs of shoes; frequent changes Of
clothing-all these tend toward more per-
feet sanitation and hygiene, and very
materially toward physical attractiveness.
The reason for the daily bath is not clean
illness alone, but also the tonic effect OF
the cold sponge and the brisk rundown.
the quick response in arterial tone that
sends the ruddy glow TO the skin and
adds charm Of color, 10 be enhanced by
clean, healthful, appropriate, becoming
clothing.
Prudence in dress may not always seem
an attractive virtue. Surely, however,
there is nothing pleasing in Stiffness in
dress, or in the vanity that prompts girl
to wear summer clothing in winter. 1t
would be no more ridiculous TO wear
heavy winter clothing in summer, but
vanity leadsto strange obsessious. Cloth
ing always loses its beauty and attrac-
tiveness when it is worn inappropriately.
Warm clothing does not necessarily
mean heavy clothing. In fact, light
weight wool is much warmer than heavy
cotton or heavy silk. On the other hand,
cotton and linen are much cooler for sum-
mer wear than silk.
The girl who is dressed comfortably
and attractiveIy experiences a wholly
definite, il subconscious, moral reaction
and support, just as the girl who is un-
comfortably garbed in soiled, torn, or in
appropriate clothing experiences de-
moralizing reaction.
To be sensibly dressed is good TO be
appropriately and comfortably dressed is
better; to combine the practical. the
hYgienic, and the aesthetic in dress IS
best OF all.-YOuth' S Companion.
MRS. SLAGKS LETTER