Fashion Changes — Women Drift From Womanly Ideals

1910

By Stella B. Ames

The advent of the immodest gown came with the appearance of the peekaboo waists some five years ago and since then women have been vying with each other, seemingly, to see to what extent they could go in displaying their forms. Evening gowns have been opened clear down the back and down as low in front as is possible. The display in New York during the grand opera season, for instance, is absolutely horrifying.

The directoire gown came into style, and although it was not carried out to the letter, yet the spirit of the gown was carried out shamefully. Even though the slit up the side has not been worn open, the skirts have been so disposed that the entire outline of the body has been shown plainly.

The Dutch necks carried the peekaboo waists one step farther and the short skirts which have been worn the last two years have been affected by middle aged women who are willing to show a good portion of their ankles.

Even the bathing suits have been becoming more and more immodest. Fifty years ago the bloomers were worn clear down to the ankles and the skirts came way below the knees. Now neither the bloomer or the skirt quite reaches the knee.

I do not believe that most women consciously set out to dress immodestly. Most of them just blindly follow the fashions. A little honest thought, however, will show that women as a class have drifted very far away from the womanly ideals which should prompt all women. I believe that we should combine to bring about a common sense revolution in dress.