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In the
nineteenth century the
appearance of a man’s or woman’s
clothes was
regulated not only by fashion
but also by the rules of social
etiquette.
For anyone who wished to
stand well in society it was
essential for
clothing to be appropriate to
the person’s station in life, to
the occasion
and to the time of day. These
considerations affected the form
of garments,
their material, colour and
decoration. An understanding and
observance of
such conventions had long
been accepted as social duty
amongst the middle
and upper classes, as
important as good manners and
correct deportment;
and while an excessive
concern with personal appearance
and fashion was
considered vulgar, a due respect
for the rituals of dress was
expected.
Good
taste, good sense, and
refinement are required in the
selection of
costume. A woman of good
sense will not wish to expend in
unnecessary
extravagances money wrung
from an anxious, laborious
husband; or if her
husband be a man of fortune,
she will not, even then,
encroach upon her
allowance.
Dress for
Morning Calls
The
dress should be of black or
neutral tint silk with light
colors
introduced in small
quantities; collar and cuffs of
the finest lace; light
gloves; a full dress bonnet
and jewelry of gold, cameo or
coral. Diamonds
are not usually worn in
daylight.
The
Promenade Dress
All the
colors worn should harmonize.
The bonnet, parasol, dress and
gloves should be of the same
color or in harmony. Collars and
cuffs should
be of lace, kid gloves should
harmonize with the color of the
dress and be
a perfect fit. Jewelry worn
should be bracelets,
cuff-buttons, plan gold
ear-rings, a watch-chain and
brooch.
Opera Dress
The
promenade dress with the
addition of a handsome cloak or
shawl, which
may be thrown aside if it is
uncomfortable, is suitable for a
theatre. The
dress should be quiet and
plain, without any attempt at
display. Opera
dress for matinees may be as
elegant as for morning calls. A
headdress is
generally worn. In the
evening ladies are at liberty to
wear evening
dresses, with ornaments in
their hair, instead of a bonnet.
Gloves should
be dark, harmonizing with the
dress.
Evening
Dress
Silks
are the most appropriate for
this dress, but all the heavy
woolen
dress fabrics for winter, and
the lighter lawns and organdies
for summer,
elegantly made, are suitable.
Dress for
Social Party
Dresses
should cover the arms and
shoulders; but if cut low in the
neck,
and with short sleeves,
puffed illusion waists or some
similar device
should be employed to cover
the neck and arms. Gloves should
be of some
light color.
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