Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 May 1912 — Business Dress [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Business Dress

Bright and Pretty Colors Worn by the Women

By JOHN W. V. BALLARD

THE difference between man’s and woman’s attire in color is largely attributable to the difference in temperament and taste. Men’s dress is grave because they dress in accordance with the requirement of their business, and their clothes for full dress and half dress are quiet, principally that the contrast with that of women should be more apparent. From time immemorial woman has been.garbed in gayer dress than that of man. This is opposite to the nature of the sexes in the bird kingdom, for the male bird’s plumage is more brilliant than that of his mate. Then why docs woman dress more gaily? It is her nature. It is her desire to dress becomingly. It is her wish to dress in a manner more pleasing to her husband, her lover, her friend. It is also a fact that a few of the fair sex who seem to have little desire to please the eye of man will study attractive dress and bright attire. The adage, “Beauty unadorned is adorned the most,” seems a contradiction of but the most beautiful women of the world desire to dress in richest colors and best quality of fabric. Imagine at a grand ball a lady < nl< ring the assemblage in the “sombre colors employed by the male sox, such an effect would seem ridiculaus. A desirable effect is not always produced in gaudy colors alone, but mu~t be combined with materials of exquisite texture. A new and lovely gown often is conducive to the promotion of a chi- rful temperament and in a practical way. a fresh and pretty fr<>ek has suggested an aid to convalescence after a protracted illness. A grout variety of costumes is necessary to the fair six to meet the require:.-nt.? of the many festal and other occasions of the present day. The church, the theater, dinner, dance, motoring, and sports in general, al! r quire special castuming. We have been asked by one of our large papers to design a suitable and becoming costume for young ladies’ baseball college clubs in the brilliant colors of their respective colleges. . ■ * We are unwilling to acquiesce in the report that the society ladies of qur city dress in extremely subdued fashion, for they certainly manifest exceptionally refined taste in the adoption of rich colors and superior fab-

rics. So it seems to us that bright and beautiful colors are rightfully employed by the fair sex on nearly every occasion. «