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Vocational Dress!
Some time ago, our attention Avas attracted by a subject of vast
imj)ortance, through an article on "Dress Reform" in one of the
popular magazines of the day. We read the article and were much
impressed, but it occurred to us that in addition to, and as a corrallary
to this movement, discussed by the author, should come that of
"vocational dress."
What body so fit to stand behind a movement of such social
importance as our own Alma Mater? We hesitated to speak of
the matter before, believing the "Domestic Science Department'"
to be the proper channel for the suggestion. But, wearying of the
delay and for the sake of our own fame and glory, already rather
considerable (how she hates herself!), we hesitate no longer.
That old sajung of Mrs. Pankhurst's, "Rome was not built in
a day," stands only too true. Therefore the field for this Avork Is
this college world o' ourn, whose disciples can, upon the undoubted
success of the plan, spread the seeds of the reform broadcast
through the city and then through the world in general.
Think of the scope of the undertaking, and the capacity right
here in the University of Cincinnati for putting the scheme into
operation, and success of the propaganda. NOAA% we have the Coop,
the domestic science ladj% the incipient teacher, the mathematician,
the chemist, the kindergarten disciple, and too many other
varieties to be mentioned in our present limited space.
The great difficulty, naturallj', will be that of deciding the appropriate
costumes, but thanks to a Celtic imagination and artistic talent,
we trust that difficulty will fast fade away. The Co-op, for
example, is like the amphibious—a half and half species. This
being the chief characteristic of the genus, it should be indicated in
their dress: to consist of a pair of overalls, a dress coat and a soft
.shirt. The hat of the "Domestic" girl should be a rich appetizing
brown, garnished Avith ripe tomatoes and lettuce foliage. A pale
orange dress, icecycle fringe, would appear to advantage and suggest
one's favorite dessert. With this should be Avorn a shepherd
sash and a string of beans.
For the teacher, a frock of serviceable fabric carried out Avith
bead fringe and alphabet buttons has been advised. With the mathematician,
the first essential is a good figure. A verj^ attractive costume
could be evolved by a return to tlie hoop skirts of the "War
Days," in this case, having the skirt held in place by three umbreilalike
ribs, lending an effective triangular atmosphere to the true
mathematical air. Top off the creation with a coneshaped hat of
any pleasing color, preferably Freshman Green.
These few examples will but serve to indicate the possibilities in
the field of vocational fashions. We should like to hint that the
heads of the various departments take up the matter at once and
order their summer clothes through us.
.\ll communications should be addressed "The Vocational Dress
Co.," care "Ev," 1914.
page two hundred and seventy-six