Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-04-25

Clothisg.
(Franoss Il. whlseenb. Asslssast Professor q
Home Keosoaies, Unisersity Of Aai.e)
Present day styles are derived directly
from costumes Of an earlier period II the
history of clothing. Tho style or design
of our clothing 10 m important factor.
Our garments speak for or against IA
They make N feel absurd and cosspieu-
ous or comfortable and st ease. What
ever tho style, the clothes should b
Subordinate 20 the Wearer and empha-
sizs her good points.
Besides subordination to the wearer,
no costume 10 successful that violates
the principle of unity. The woman and
her clothes must Be 20 closely related In
line and color, that no jarring note b
felt.
Consideration of color value 10 essen
tial in it, relation to clothing. The
dominant tone Of dress should be sub
dued enough to allow the individual
characteristics to show. A bit Of bright
color may b Introduced to give variety
spd individuality, bat the whole costume
must be kept harmonious.
Another point 70 b considered 10 the
lines of costume. A vertical movement
of lines tends to add height, while bori-
zonth accents width. Boldness of de-
sign, conspicuous eolors, large plaids
and stripes tend to increase size. Quiet
dress 10 evidence of good taste.
Fashion should not be our ideal. We
should strive for artistic individual cos
tune. One style Of dress may look veil
on one woman, but not on another.
Each Individual must choose the color,
lines, and general effect Of gown best
suited to her own particular needs, re.
eardless OF present fashion. To be we'll
dressed, one must wear clothes that add
charm and develop ease Of manner.
health, comfort, and appearance depend
on the selection.
Simplicity 10 Of great importance in
the selection of costume. This means
the omission of al superfuous ornament.
The appropriateness to the occasion
should be considered also. Street cos
TUNES should differ from evening clothes.
In relation to the body, clothing pri.
marily furnishes protection from the
cold and maintains constant body tenn
pera.ure. At the present time our pub
lie buildings, trains, and houses are
overheated, 90 that the difficulty of i'd
justing ones clothing to conditions 10
great. People keep on their outdoor
wraps in trains and stores, get overheat-
ed, then become chilled on going out Of
door. This causes . waste of energy
and 10 dangerous TO health.
Outdoor garments should be worn.
Two light weight garments are warmer
than one heavy garment because Of the
layer OF air between, which prevents the
loss of body heat by conduction. A
closely woven garment il better for .
windy day than . loosely woven one
which allows too free passage OF air.
Garments worn next tho skin should
be open In weave, to allow ventilation,
also light in weight. They should be
made Of materials which launder easily
without injury TO the fiber. Linen is
the cleanest Of the textile f1ber, but
cotton which is cheaper and easily laun.
|dered il more practical and With ire
quent changes 10 very satisfactory for
undergarmepts.
Clothing must be we'll aired 10 destroy
disease germs and remove waste matters
collected from the skin. Duet must be
removed, since it is q carrier of disease
germs.
Before msiiog . purchase every
woman should decide what style of gar
ment is required, what materials and
how much TO get, aiso what amount of
money may be spent. The latter is in
Auencod nv the nosition a Eoman holds
whether in business, school, or home.