1044 SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



times decrees it should be. A great criticism of women's clothing is due 

 to its weight and uneven distribution over the body. Union suits and 

 one-piece garments of all kinds are desirable, because they do away with 

 extra layers about the waist and throw some of the weight on the shoulders. 

 Tight clothing is of course undesirable, but garments fitting close to the 

 body give more protection from cold; tights in preference to petticoats is 

 a striking example of this. 



The Outer Garments. — In considering the outer garments, the desire 

 for beauty plays a large part. We owe it to ourselves, our family and our 

 neighbors, to look as well as we can. Becoming colors are no more expen- 

 sive than unbecoming ones, and careful observation in the mirror will tell 

 better than fashion which are the ones suited to us. The color of the 

 skin, the hair and the eyes should be considered; if the skin is sallow and 

 the hair colorless, do not emphasize the fact by matching them in the 

 clothes. It is not possible to give rules, as each individual is a law unto 

 herself and must be studied as such. 



In choosing the pattern for a dress, the figure of the individual should 

 be considered. A tall, slender woman should not wear stripes or tucks up 

 and down, nor the fat one tucks or flounces around. Ruffles, fullness, the 

 kind of material, all should conform to the figure. 



Extremes of Fashion. — Our ideas of modesty are purely conventional, 

 but change from time to time as fashions change, though not so rapidly. 

 The ball gown is immodest if worn on the street, and the bathing suit 

 shocking in the parlor. The extremes of fashion are often immodest from 

 the standpoint of the more conservative. Fashion in its greatest follies 

 makes it difficult at times to live up to our highest ideals in clothes, but 

 we must not deviate too far from convention. There seem to be some 

 indications that thinking woman is dictating slightly to fashion; at least, 

 she insists that for work and recreation she have suitable clothes. To be 

 sure, the idle rich are willing to give most of their time to the pursuit of 

 this capricious queen, and, unfortunately, many of those less able to do 

 so ape them, but the better class of working, thinking women, be thej^ 

 rich or poor, do not follow the greatest extremes. 



If one is to be well dressed, one must not be conspicuous, and to be 

 entirely out of fashion makes one so. Therefore, consider the prevailing 

 style, modify it to suit the individual figure, the individual needs and the 

 occasion for which it is to be worn. Consider the material to be used and 

 do not copy a design suited for filmy chiffon in heavy woolen. The trim- 

 ming should harmonize with the material and excessive trimming is in all 

 cases to be avoided. Do not overdress; this is as great a sin as to be not 

 well enough dressed; in fact, it usually makes one more conspicuous. 

 One is always at greater ease when one's clothes are suitable. An old 

 woolen skirt worn in the kitchen does not hurt one socially, but a clean, 

 simple wash dress worn there increases one's self-respect. 



Footwear. — Shoes are the cause of more discomfort than is usually 



