CRUSADE AGAINST TIGHT DRESSES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1098, 19 September 1912, Page 4

CRUSADE AGAINST TIGHT DRESSES.

Headed by leading clergymen, war is being waged throughout the United States by leaders of society against the prevailing fashion of extremely tight dresses for women, and a resolution has been made that no matter what fashion Paris decrees in future society in America will place it under its ban if it does not conform with the reform movement idea of modesty and decency. The society reformers have their headquarters at Chicago, Illinois, and they are endeavouring to enlist members all over the country for their “Modesty League.” The league will forbid all women’s fashions “which reveal as they half conceal,” and hereafter costume makers in America will be asked to design a dress that is loose and at the same time handsome. According to Dr Dobell, a wellknown member of Chicago society, the tight-fitting dress and bodice should be taken from women by law if necessary. “Many women pattern their gowns after the extreme style affected by publicityseeking actresses,” he said ; “such dresses are extremely dangerous both to morals and health.” The women advocates of light openwork or “peekapoo” dresses have hitherto declared that the hot American summers make heavier and thicker garments impossible ; but now they have no such excuse for wearing the clinging glove-like costumes so much affected this season which, they are forced to admit, are most unsuitable for the hot weather. It is believed that the league formed at Chicago is the outcome of the adoption recently by a young woman of that city of men’s silken half-hose on the grounds that the regulation ladies’ stockings were very uncomfortable for the summer months.