The dress reform problem : a chapter for women / by E. Ward & Co.

  • E. Ward & Co.
Date:
1886
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The dress reform problem : a chapter for women / by E. Ward & Co. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Well, “ Rome was not built in a day,” and the patient endurance for centui’ies of things unsanitary and uncom- fortable in the matter of clothing, is not to be overcome in a moment; so we take heart and proceed to a fresh attack. The writer has no intention, in this little treatise, of attempting to rival those who have already written so ably upon this subject; nevertheless, as a member of a firm devoting special attention to it, she has thought it desir- able, for several reasons, to state the views held by the firm. Ladies who, sensible of its advantages, resolve to adopt a reformed style of dress, are continually hampered by difficulties in having their ideas carried out. In fact, we who are in the trade, are probably even more alive than they, to the indifference of the trade in general, to any such movement originating outside its pale. There are several reasons to account for this dislike to innovation, into which it is not necessary to enter; we content ourselves with admitting the fact. However, being sensible from our own experience, and from the experience of our custo- mers, that the opposition is a serious one, we think the suggestions of a firm of outfitters, who, for the past ten * years, have personally worn and advocated hygienic clothing, who possess some knowledge of physiology, and who, as a matter of business, are continually brought into contact with the experiences of many, may be of use. All new ideas possess a certain admixture of crudity. It is a matter of almost daily occurrence for us, in our business relationships, to find it advisable to tone down some scheme which is laid before us by a client. Many of these are excellent in theory, but have no stamina for the exigen- cies of every day wear and tear. What a lady requires when