The Public Woman

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6945, 26 June 1929, Page 11

The Public Woman

Lady Astor has caused a stir in the House of Commons by wearing a red frock. Anything so revolutionary has apparently never happened before in this austere atmosphere. Further, it was not expected in Lady Astor, who, when she first entered Parliament, established a precedent in women's Parliamentary dressing by wearing little suits of simple black. But either through design of mischance she recently “came on from a party" in a red gown, and the London evening Pres 3 recorded the faux pas in streamlines and headlines.

Tho incident opens again the subject of what is a suitable dress for public or professional women. Most of us would agree with the Manchester "Guardian" which, when commenting on the incident, stated: —"It is foolish to underestimate the psychological effect of dress, and though women who wear frills and tulles need not have fluffy minds, strangers think this of them. In any case, rather severe, business-liko clothes obviously look well for people engaged in business." Though speaking chiefly in regard to the dressing of the woman members, the same may apply to all women workers in public ject which should be considered seriously by every woman embarking on a business or professional career, for one cannot help but deplore the lack of judgment and good taste so often displayed by prominent public women. Tho purely business woman offends less in this direction, possibly, through tho long-cs/tablished custom of business houses, which exact something in the nature of a uniform.

While "frills and tulles" may not indicate a fluffy mind, they still lodk hopelessly out o-f place on women engaged on serious business; and, further, the practical woman wall admit that they aro apt to lose their eariy pristine freshness in the heat and burden of tho day and bccorno miserably dowdy. On the other hand, severity in dressing may be overdone. It is not necessary to adopt severe or‘ mannish stylos. Simplicity and dignity can be achieved by gowns and suits of good tailoring and lino.

Tho real test of good dressing in the public woman is her ability to select the correct wardrobe for every occasion. It takes judgment to keep her dressing restrained. How often women aro soon at meotitngs in clothes more suited to a private tea party, even whon thetjO meetings in the moiuing.

It is inevitable that the selection of a suitable w r ardrobo for the public woman should be an entirely different problem to that of the home woman. In the first place her materials must be purchased with an eye to their good and lasting qualities. Only tho best is economical buying, and she simply cannot afford to expend good tailoring on poor materials. Not for her is the little georgette or-ninon frock that can be run up at home. Her evening dresses, too, must be able to withstand much w r ear and tear, though she may certainly have fewer than her sister who goes frequently to bridge and dancing parties.