IMPORTANCE OF CLOTHES

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 23

IMPORTANCE OF CLOTHES

SIMPLICITY AND SUITABILITY In spite of the fact that some consider dress a snare and an empty vanity, it has a tremendous influence upon both the wearer and beholder alike. Even young children are susceptible to the effects of clothes. We all have some knowledge of the way our attire affects our behaviour, establishes self-confidence, and contributes to our successes in life. Dress is a universal medium of communication and placards one’s personality to the world. Dress can express gaiety, sadness, hopefulness, despair, impudence, restraint—■ the reaction to clothes is an important fact in our lives. No doubt there are a few geniuses, a few exceptional characters who arq able to rise above the environment, who are able to impress those with whom they come in contact in spite of their clothes —but convention makes cowards of most of us. No matter how we scoff, a good standard of dress is a social and a commercial asset. Many a business woman possessing a keen mind, but with a natural disregard for \clothes, lias lost opportunities for leadership and selfexpression which her qualifications should have given her. The consciousness of being becomingly and fittingly dressed for the occasion strengthens and insures one’s self-command, graciousness, and resourcefulness. _ The added poise given enhances one’s personality. Perhaps a girl will think “ anything will do ” for the office; —this is indicative of her mood—it is reflected in the kind of work she produces. There are three chief classifications of these individuals: —

The first is the girl who dresses herself in festive garments for a business occupation. The mere fact that a party frock is old does not indicate its use for everyday wear, once an evening frock—always an evening frock. This seems rather obvious, but everyday obBervation shows the prevalence of mappropriate attire. We see jaded satin and velvet revealing to the day s sunshine —attire which has the effect of having been selected hastily and thoughtlessly. This applies not only to women who work, but also to women in the home—the back door ■ often frames au enlightening picture to the casual morning caller. Then there is the drab type of mdividual who is addicted to muddy brown ” and has no interest in clothes. Often she likes clothes—or just admires them on other people—but feels that she herself is too hopelessJy plain to be adorned by them. Naturally timid, she has a dread of being rendered conspicuous, and resembles in this matter various forms of animal life, who to avoid their natural enemies assume a protective covering. Actually it is this tvpe of individual who needs a large dose of pep in her clothes, so that hei work may be stimulated and inspired, and both may escape the dead level of monotony so prevalent to her type, i his class has many members—-clothes are a habit with them and worn for the sake of a covering. To look dull is to feci dull; they are passive, seldom active members of the community. Lastly there is the type of person who tries so desperately hard to_ fool the public that she succeeds only in fooling herself—the perennial sweet sixteen who refuses to admit advancing years. How unlike the Frenchwoman whose clothes are so perfectly adapted to her age and individuality that she appears ageless to the world. . , , ~ An intelligent woman interprets the modes of to-day to her needs and habits. In the business field an efficient woman partners a well-ordered mind with immaculate attire. Her clothes express the mode of to-day with clear discrimination and good taste, she sines at tads, selects business like clothes for businesslike occasions, and leaves the picturesque and frivolous for her hours of relaxation and recreation. , A few good things. wisely selected with a view to their suitability to the occasion, enhance one’s own personality. They are more satisfactory and prove a better investment than an elaborate assortment chosen at random and made to “ do ” for all occasions without giving the impression of being intended for any special one. Simple, well-cut clothes are an excellent choice from the point of economy, and also they express sincerity, which is the essence of charm—that intangible something which eludes description and is not dependent on clothes. That is a quality from within, but it manifests itself 'in onr ability to express ourselves through clothes. The painter expresses himself through the medium of his brush, the sculptor through clay, the woman through dress.