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WHAT DRESS MAKES OF US

By

DOROTHY QUIGLEY

Illustrations by

ANNIE BLAKESLEE

1897

PREFACE.

Did you ever observe, dear comrade, what an element ofcaricature lurks in clothes? A short, round coat on a stout manseems to exaggerate his proportions to such a ridiculous degreethat the profile of his manly form suggests "the robust bulge of anold jug."

A bonnet decorated with loops of ribbon and sprays of grass, orflowers that fall aslant, may give a laughably tipsy air to thelong face of a saintly matron of pious and conservative habits.

A peaked hat and tight-fitting, long-skirted coat may so magnifythe meagre physical endowments of a tall, slender girl that sheattains the lank and longish look of a bottle of hock.

Oh! the mocking diablery in strings, wisps of untidy hair, queertrimmings, and limp hats. Alas! that they should have such impishpower to detract from the dignity of woman and render manabsurd.

Because of his comical attire, an eminent Oxford divine, whoselife and works commanded reverence, was once mistaken for anancient New England spinster in emancipated garments. His smoothlyshaven face, framed in crinkly, gray locks, was surmounted by asoft, little, round hat, from the up-turned brim of which dangled abroken string. His long frock-coat reached to just above hisloosely fitting gaiters.

The fluttering string, whose only reason for being at all was tokeep the queer head-gear from sailing away on the wind, gave atouch of the ludicrous to the boyish hat which, in its turn, lentmore drollery than dignity to the sanctified face of the oldtheologian. Who has not seen just such, or a similar sight, andlaughed? Who has not, with the generosity common to us all,concluded these were the mistakes and self-delusions of neighbors,relatives, and friends, in which we had no share?

I understand how it is with you. I am one of you. Before Istudied our common errors I smiled at my neighbor's lack of taste,reconstructed my friends, and cast contemptuous criticism upon myenemies. One day I took a look at myself, and realized that "I,too, am laughable on unsuspected occasions."

The humbling knowledge of seeing myself objectively, gave mecourage to speak to the heart of you certain home truths whichconcern us all, in homely language which we can all understand.

That you may discern the comicality and waggery in ill-chosenclothes, I have endeavored to hint to you in these talks some ofthe ways gew-gaws and garments make game of us.

May you discover that your dress is not making you a laughableobject; but if, by any chance, you should note that your clothesare caricaturing you, take heart. Enjoy the joke with the mirththat heals and heartens, and speedily correct your mistakes.

The lines of your form, the modelling of your face, are they notworthy of your discerning thought? Truly! Whatever detracts fromthem detracts from sculpture, painting, and poetry, and the worldis the loser.

A word to the thinking is sufficient.

D.Q.

CONTENTS.

PREFACE