South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-06-11

uNiE those LnlfEo winch are Uetylll-
ing TO her. True. she may keep It
up for a while but the time comes
when she feels grievously conspic-
uous and for modesty's sake goes
back 20 the routine Of present day
modes.
No man understands the signih-
canoe OF the simple and most abused
stateueu !n the feminine vocabu-
lary-'T have nothing 20 wear"
How many times you and I have
tried the annoying words on friend
= husband only 20 see a puzzled look
yc.oud his genial features. suggestive
OF the expression your pet dog as
sumes when he Is trying very hard
20 understand you. Husband knows
that you are very coed % look upon
lin the black gown with the Spanish
lace" or "the old rose one trimmed
in gold or that simple froclk OF
henna." He thinks you are no less
than crazy when you say you have
nothing 10 wear 20 Mrs SO and Sos
dinner. as he cheerfully gets into
his evening coat for the ffty-ffth
time. Is II any wonder that he does
not realize that the robe which was
a triumph on its virgin display be-
comes an acute humiliation a few
weeks later In the season?
Many women who dress smartly
without undue extravaganza rely up
on a black evening gown as a most
valuable asset in a seasons ward
robe II can be worn more tim es
with comfort than a bright-colored
frock Last winter. even at the
most formal social functions. black
predominated TO the disadvantage
o. the wearers and the scenes II at
tended. From the tradition that
black Is becoming 20 every one. I
beg most emphatically to dissent.
Black AZ a background for points
or color may be made effective but
unrelieved &c is apt 70 accentuate
the imperfections Of the flesh. A
woman who passes for pretty when
the tone OF her gown emphasizes the
. bright lights or her hair or the arti-
Ihcial lights of her complexion will
: look severely. plain and painted IN
dead black. there are few women
who can make Of black a supreme
triumph
White is not any more kindly vet
woman IN al her supreme and
solemn birth marriage
and death. clads herself in the en-
bIem OF the virginia.. White typifies
innocence and youth and what wom-
an does not secretly pay her re-
epectz 10 those most precious Of
feminine assets2 The prize Of life
IS offered 10 them and 20 woman
youth and love and happiness are
synonymou
Sometimes men encourage extra
vagance of dress in women. Not in
frequently. wife becomes a mans
trademark not only In the social
but the business world. Her gowns
and accessories. created 10 impress
a suggestion OF wealth constitutes
some mems sole claim 20 distinction
and some womeu's too That IS a
broad statement but absolutely true
and It is quite apparent that beneath
their robes and jewels an inferior
mentality and a commonplace per
sonality have their being. ~
7 do not wish to imply that our
American social standards have low
cred for there are still aristoCracies
OF intellect and it can hardly be
said OF them that personal adorn-
ment counts in those kingdoms. But
II every town of any size we have
women who live I'm beautiful homes,
own expensive cars and dress lux
uriously who are rank materialists
unable 20 appreciate or acquire an
appreciation of the finer things in
life Naturally these women meas
ure the charm OF other women by
the size NJ their earmarks Of
wealth and who condescend TO
women who are unable or who dc
not live up 60 their material re-
Quirements
Rich women do not err so much
in dress as the vast majority OF
those who are not rich or anythina
Ike II but who stretch every point
10 make other people believe they
are. A woman Of moderate incom,
can dress tas-ty and be fittinely
clothed for amy occasion without
being eNtravaeant 70 she avoids The
extreme 90 fashion. chooses good
materials and can withstand The
meaning ciares Of those whose cod,
IS new gown for every other occa
sion.
There are tragedies I'm this verl
city which have begun and ended IL
dress fostered by sentimen
which deprives many women OF i'm
t+uectual and social intercourse be
cause they felt unable 90 face az
assembly which could label thei
best" dresses by heart All tht
would be- eliminated II woman
would ADOPT a saner viewpoint 20
ward the garments which adorn
her. The ideal in womans attir
should acceutuate the body
beauty and dissimulate its ungrace
sui lines. 10 should be so fair
frame that the flaws IN the pictur
could not easily be discerned an'
the color should be that which ma
ture mixed for the wearers bene
1T
A gown Is revelation OF IN
heart. The taste and the entire IN
dlviduaIty ~ ohe wearer and -
such 30 should be regarded A new
philosophy Of dress would not com
amiss az This oppOrtune mOmen
and n the suggestion stimulate
the desire OF any reader toward
more independent course In dress
] shall have had my reward