SHALL LADIES WEAR--?

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1013, 17 December 1881, Page 4

SHALL LADIES WEAR--?

Under this ominous and suggestive title The World writes :—Dress has has been made a subject of sore battlein its time, and a certain section of the sex have fought bard and well for the privilege of wearing breeches. But public opinion has been dead against these reformers, and after a fierce and {courageous struggle the plucky little would-be-men have succumbed. After all, they cannot stand up against the persistent lack of admiration from those male friends whom they desire to rival. 'They return beaten at last, into the time-honored petticoats. The Bloomer costume has vanished, and is as though it never had been. The reform was too complete, the effort too openly acknowledged. But only men who have never observed the other sex supposed that the decision against Bloomerism could be accepted as final. Not so. When women once desire a thing, they get it in the end. This surely is a truism in every household in the land. But they do not get it by openly demanding it, nor yet by openly taking it. They approach the object of their desires by a course so circuitous, that only a student of womankind would suspect where it was likely to lead. Ordinary male intelligence is baffled by this mode of working, and succumbs unawares. In the legitimate feminine method, women are beginning to fight upon an old and wellw’orn ground. Determined to put on trousers sooner or later, they are now about to win over public opinion and do battle with social prejudices in so cunning a fashion, that they will hardly be suspected until they have got what they desire. The newest mode of making a lady’s skirt is a notable instance of the ingenuity of the French feminine mind. In reality the garment in question is very like a pair of trousers, substantially built ■and well wadded, because the form makes petticoats an impossibility. Upon this gentlemanly scaffolding, material is draped with such skill, that it produces all the outward elegance of an ordinary lady’s dress. Only when the wearer walks ahout, it is just possible to perceive that she walks in two garments instead of in one. It is very probable that the ladies who in these , strangely designed dresses will quickly attract some attention, from the fact that the shape allows of real freedom and ease of movement. The tied-back dresses, which made a woman step as if she were in chains, are now really succeeded by a form of garment which allows of grace and elegance. In her wonderfully well-disguised trousers, the lady of fashion can step into her carriage without distress, can sit down naturally, can indeed use her limbs with the same freedom as the wearer of the true breeches. All this is very nice ; but what will come of it ? It looks terribly like the first sign of a great revolution. Gradually the draperies will diminish, and the double shape of the dress become more pronounced. Day by day ,we shall become more used" to the delicate differences in cut and style which the costumiers will introduce. As custom compelled us to accept and grow used to crinoline and other enormities of feminine attire, so we shall slowly and almost unconsciously accept this change. From the ladies’ point of view the new garment is, however, charming indeed. It has all the advantage of appearing very like a tied-back dress, while it is so comfortable, that it bears no real resemblance to that terrible construction. Women will be better walkers and better dancers now that the genius of the modiste has given them freedom, while preserving appearances, by means of these pantalons dresses. And no one will dare to cry out against leaders of fashion, as those ladies themselves cried out against the enthusiastic advocates ef the Bloomer costume. Who would have the courage to declare that anything fashionable was indelicate, degrading, or ugly ? Or, if persons sufficiently courageous were found, who would listen to their criticisms ? No one. Fashion is relentless, and pursues its own course, despite all opposition from those outsiders who are not in the great woild. Only its own high priests, the dwellers in its holy of holies, are listened to. If they choose to gradually lessen the draperies which veil the actual garment, until at last the trousers are openly worn and acknowledged, none can hinder them. The prejudiced fair ones who cling to petticoats will then no longer be voted modest, but simply old-fashioned.