"Appropriate Combinations in Dress"

Principles of Clothing Selection, Buttrick, 1924

 

For Business or School Wear
Coat:
Warm, long, water-proofed, fur or fur-trimmed coat for winter. Silk, or light wool coat, or sweater for summer.
Suit or Dress:
Tailored suit or simple one-piece dress of wool, silk, or cotton, according to season.
Blouse:
Dark silk to match suit. White or light-colored wash waist simply made.
Hat:
Medium sized or small, simply trimmed. Sailor, felt, panama, or silk.
Shoes:
Black or brown leather of comfortable last.
Accessories:
Washable or heavy leather gloves of dark color. Plain veil, plain leather handbag. Necessary jewelry such as watch, brooch, or shirt-waist jewelry.

 

For Shopping
Coat:
Same as above.
Suit or Dress:
Same as above. Silk suit for summer.
Blouse:
Same as above. More elaborate silk, georgette, chiffon, or lingerie blouse.
Hat:
Same as above.
Shoes:
Same as above.
Accessories:
Same as above. Any simple jewelry that is appropriate to the gown, used sparingly.

 

For Sports
Coat:
Coat of polo cloth, tweed, leather, khaki, or corduroy. Sweater of wool or silk, according to use and climate.
Suit or Dress:
Tailored suit of serviceable material, as khaki, corduroy, Jersey or heavy, rough wool. Simple two-piece or one-piece dress; middy or sailor suits of linen, cotton, or wool. Knickers or skirts of cotton or wool. For country club wear, sports silk suits and dresses.
Blouse or shirt:
Middy blouse, cotton, silk, or flannel shirt-waist. For country club social gatherings waists of lingerie or georgette.
Hat:
Soft felt, straw, or silk. Shape that fits well on the head and shades the eyes. Trimming very simple and durable.
Shoes:
Special shoes for special sports. Flat or low-heeled, ruber soled, canvas, or leather.
Accessories:
Dogskin, chamois, or wash cotton gloves. Only necessary jewelry of simple and durable design, of silver and semi-precious stones. Only necessary scarves, veils, etc.

 

For Church and Calls
Coat:
Wool, silk, or fur, according to season. Simple or elaborate, according to social environment of wearer.
Suit or Dress:
Wool, silk, or velvet dress or suit, medium or dark in color.
Blouse:
Chiffon, lace, or crepe, in keeping with suit.
Hat:
Velvet, felt, silk, or straw, according to season. Trimming of flowers, plumes, etc., in keeping with rest of costume. Color according to season and rest of costume.
Shoes:
Kid or patent leather, or plainer, according to rest of costume.
Accessories:
Kid or silk gloves, white or matching gown or suit. Jewelry handsome but not conspicious. Fine leather or beaded bag. Boa, parasol.

 

For Reception, Afternoon Party, or Wedding
Coat:
Velvet, wool, fur or silk, according to season.
Suit or Dress:
Velvet, silk, or wool suit. Dress of velvet, crepe, or chiffon, light or medium in color. Organdy, voile, or other thin material in summer.
Blouse:
Georgette or lace, or elaborate lingerie in summer.
Hat:
Velvet, silk, lace, or straw, according to season. Elaborately trimmed, light colored or black.
Shoes:
Kid or patent leather, bronze, suede or other fine leather, as suits gown.
Accessories:
Gloves of white kid or to match gown. Jewelry, elaborate but suitable for afternoon wear. Scarf, bag, parasol etc., suited to the rest of the costume.

For Informal Evening Wear
Coat:
Velvet, wool, silk, or fur according to season. Lined with light color, trimmed with fur, marabou, etc.
Gown:
Silk, crepe, chiffon, or velvet for winter. Net, lace, crepe, etc., for summer. Light or medium color, short sleeves, moderately low neck, no train.
Slippers:
Kid or satin, to match gown. White, black, or bronze slippers.
Accessories:
Simple necklace or pendant. Bracelets, rings, etc. Dainty lace or chiffon scarf. Fan. Simple hair ornament.

For Formal Evening Wear
Wrap:
Velvet, silk, or fur, elaborately made and trimmed.
Gown:
Silk, brocade, velvet, gauze, lace, etc. Elaborately made with train, decolletage, etc. according to fashion.
Slippers:
Satin slippers matching gown. Gold or silver slippers.
Gloves:
Long white kid, or kid to match gown.
Accessories:
As elegant as one's purse permits, but sparingly used and in keeping with the costume. Jewelry, fan, scarf, and hair ornament.

For Afternoon Wear at Home
Dress:
Simple silk, wool, cotton or linen dress of medium or light color.
Shoes:
White canvas, kid, bronze or patent leather slippers according to dress.
Accessories:
Beads or simple chain and brooch.

For Housework
Dress:
One-piece or two-piece, loose, comfortable, and easily laundered.
Shoes:
Comfortable, thin-soled, rubber-heeled, kid or canvas.

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