*'TT is much to know fine clothing from poor, to be a judge of values,
I to buy with taste." We need only to look around us a short distance
to see that a few suggestions on the subject of harmony in dress will
not go amiss. We are desirous of being fashionable to the degree that Vv'e
begin to overlook individuality in the matter of dress. For instance, if
we see that purple is to be the fashionable color of the season, all of us feel
that we must have purple. There are very few colors w^iich every woman
can wear becomingly. What v/ill suit one complexion very seldom does
for another, and for this reason we should study ourselves wath regard to
harmony of color in dress.
It would be impossible to set a scheme of colors for every type, for
the shading from the brunette to the blonde is too gradual.
We may, however, make a general classification, dividing ourselves
into three big classes, the blonde, the light brunette or medium, and the
dark brunette. Under this classification a few general rules may be set
as a foundation upon which a more elaborate scheme may be enlarged
upon to suit the individual case.
The blonde may wear light blue, light shades of green, dull gold,
and neutral shades of any color rather than positive ones. Avoid red,
orange, yellow, purple, and brown.
The pale bruiietfe is in need of warm colors, although here again
neutral colors are better than positive ones. Warm brown, gold color,
maize, old rose, and modified red are good. Light blue and green, pale
violet, and all hues of purple and pink are colors that should be avoided.
For tlie brunette, red, maroon, dark blue, rich maize, yellow, and gold
color are becoming.
Never wear light blue, light green, pale violet, purple, or pink.
All may wear white, and black with white trimming.
In addition to personality being observed in the choice of color, the
same degree of care should be taken in the style of pattern used.
The short, stout woman should wear dresses with long lines. Ruffles,
frills, or any trimming which would tend to shorten the general length
of the garment should not be used. An extremely tight-fitting garment
emphasizes the size of the wearer.
.7
8 HOME DRESSMAKING
The tall, thin woman should also leave tight-fitting garments alone.
Only the normal size woman can afford to wear this style. Long lines
should be broken as much as possible in the clothes of the thin woman.
Crosswise trimming is best.
The best material that can be afforded should be put in dresses, for
cheap material is usually lacking in firmness and the garments made from
it soon lose their shape.
It is best to patronize reliable firms, for in the end their products
are cheapest. Learn from personal inspection where the best in any cer-
tain line is carried. One firm is often noted for its superior line of silks,
while another may excel in woolens.
In buying silk it is better to buy a soft, pliable piece than a heavier
one which is weighted with foreign matter, for the softer piece will out-
wear the other. Fray out some threads of silk and try them to see if they
break easily. If they do, the silk is poor quality. Good silk will not
wrinkle easily when crumpled in the hand.
In the selection of woolens, never buy a rough, loosely woven piece,
for when washed it will shrink and draw out of shape. Beware of a
piece that has short ends which break away when raveled.
Page 4
Presented as published in 1917. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
"It is much to know fine clothing from poor, to be a judge of values, to buy with taste." We need only to look around us a short distance to see that a few suggestions on the subject of harmony in dress will not go amiss. We are desirous of being fashionable to the degree that Vv'e begin to overlook individuality in the matter of dress. For instance, if we see that purple is to be the fashionable color of the season, all of us feel that we must have purple. There are very few colors w^iich every woman can wear becomingly. What v/ill suit one complexion very seldom does for another, and for this reason we should study ourselves wath regard to harmony of color in dress.
It would be impossible to set a scheme of colors for every type, for the shading from the brunette to the blonde is too gradual.
We may, however, make a general classification, dividing ourselves into three big classes, the blonde, the light brunette or medium, and the dark brunette. Under this classification a few general rules may be set as a foundation upon which a more elaborate scheme may be enlarged upon to suit the individual case.
The blonde may wear light blue, light shades of green, dull gold, and neutral shades of any color rather than positive ones. Avoid red, orange, yellow, purple, and brown.
The pale brunette is in need of warm colors, although here again neutral colors are better than positive ones. Warm brown, gold color, maize, old rose, and modified red are good. Light blue and green, pale violet, and all hues of purple and pink are colors that should be avoided.
For tlie brunette, red, maroon, dark blue, rich maize, yellow, and gold color are becoming.
Never wear light blue, light green, pale violet, purple, or pink.
All may wear white, and black with white trimming.
In addition to personality being observed in the choice of color, the same degree of care should be taken in the style of pattern used.
The short, stout woman should wear dresses with long lines. Ruffles, frills, or any trimming which would tend to shorten the general length of the garment should not be used. An extremely tight-fitting garment emphasizes the size of the wearer.
.7
The tall, thin woman should also leave tight-fitting garments alone. Only the normal size woman can afford to wear this style. Long lines should be broken as much as possible in the clothes of the thin woman. Crosswise trimming is best.
The best material that can be afforded should be put in dresses, for cheap material is usually lacking in firmness and the garments made from it soon lose their shape.
It is best to patronize reliable firms, for in the end their products are cheapest. Learn from personal inspection where the best in any certain line is carried. One firm is often noted for its superior line of silks, while another may excel in woolens.
In buying silk it is better to buy a soft, pliable piece than a heavier one which is weighted with foreign matter, for the softer piece will outwear the other. Fray out some threads of silk and try them to see if they break easily. If they do, the silk is poor quality. Good silk will not wrinkle easily when crumpled in the hand.
In the selection of woolens, never buy a rough, loosely woven piece, for when washed it will shrink and draw out of shape. Beware of a piece that has short ends which break away when raveled.