The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-10-13
Fashion Era Of
Forty Years Ago
Adult and School Styles
Differed From Those
in Vogue Today.

In 1893, when Chicago was having
q worlds fair, and the eyes of the
world were focused on southern
Kansas where thousands awaited
the signal that would admit them to
the Cherokee strip In Oklahoma, the
dress of both men and women varied
greatly. If one must insist that fig.
ures only play nominal part in
tracing The growth of a city, one
must at the same time remember the
figures in those days as compiled by
fashion designers and fashion writ
ers.
1t is apparent to one looking back
on those days that there was phys
zeal difference, or handicap, rather
than mental one. Then there was
question of what to wear rather
than a problem of what not to wear,
as today. A child in 1893 was swad-
died from ankle TO chin. while today
there is more laxity In Mess. Exact.
~ 40 years ago fashion writer
wrote in the Times.
"Let us hope" she said. "that style
will confine itself to soft rich vel
vets, which are always in good taste,
while plush. no matter how fine or
costly. is hopelessly vulgar and sug
gests the lavish tendencies of the
lumber camp cook who has risen to
the position of mistress in million.
dollar mansion"
While the high school lass was ad-
vised TO stick to velvets in lieu of
the outlaw pushes, the grade school
girl was given tip on school dress.
For gown on cool days she was
told that brown serge. of such a
golden hue as to bespeak the harvest
season, is in good taste. Tailor
made, the skirt should rustic in a
manner aggravating to the ears of
those whose fall dresses are still
unmade. Bodice in back plain
fastened to skirt beneath belt
front opens in Eton- jacket fashion
over full vest of creamy silk /.
and brown straw hat that bristles
with brown bows brown felt
fastens with gold buckle gold
hat-pin secures hat irrepr0ach-
able brown gloves and shoes com
plete outfit"
Hat manufacturers in 1898 must
have been rolling in wealth. Every
body wore hats. girls. boys, men and
women. The high school girls in
1893 wore turkey feathers, either a
single martial one at The rear of
their jaunty hat. or two in front like
a double-ribbed ship. An assembly
OF young women must have resem-
bled "big-talk" sessions in an Indian
camp.
OF course, young men could not
escape the dictum of the fashion
writer in 1898, any more than he
can today. She advised trousers
that fitted snugly at the ankles and
fared widely at the hips. A frock
coat. trim and tight at the waist.
with very long skirts and worn I'M
buttoned. To top it off. moderate.
ly high collar with the ends slightly
bent. was advocated. The tie was of
rich colored silk. small knot and
wide ends. A hat with rolled b-im
completed the outfit. And the sum.
brella should be rolled very small
and tight and the handle should be
OF natural wood . ivory. gold.
or silver-handled umbrellas and
walking sticks are not worn by the
man who dresses at all WELL"
Among those who remember the
school days of 1898 wildly is Mrs.
Ada G. Mclaughlin. AS she recalls
them, the fashions in that day were
not so uncomfortable as they were
Mountaineering compared to 1888
styles.
eve always wore lightweight
clothing the first few weeks of school
as they do today" she recalled. "Bur
the boys and young men never took
off coat in the presence of girls or
young ladies'. It was not WON
ans age, mind you. but a 'lady's
age. There is difference.