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Editorial
July 2, 1947
The Wilmington Morning Star
Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
In her column, Ruth Millett advises women to seek their husbands' opinions before purchasing important clothes, arguing that men offer unbiased, accurate critiques on what looks becoming, unlike women influenced by fashion trends.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
* We, the Women
BY RUTH MILLETT
When Papa buys a new suit Mama usually goes along. She figures she is better able than he to judge just what looks good on him. But when Mama goes to make an important purchase for herself, she goes alone or takes another woman with her.
Result: Both Mama and Papa are pleased with Papa's suit, but all too often not even Mama is pleased with her purchase. Then why don't women take their husbands with them when they make their more important clothes selections?
A husband is a fine clothes critic. He doesn't have his head full of pre-conceived ideas planted there by fashion magazines interested in plugging the current 'promotion.' He doesn't give a hoot whether a suit has, 'the new sleeves' or the 'fashionable silhouette.' All he knows is whether what the little woman tries on is becoming or not.
Without wasting words he says 'That's swell' or 'That's terrible.' And his judgment is almost always right. He may not know clothes, but he knows when a woman looks well in what she is wearing.
ASKING ADVICE FIRST
But instead of using their husbands clothes criticism constructively—by asking their advice before they buy—most women buy their clothes first and then say, 'How do you like it?'
BY RUTH MILLETT
When Papa buys a new suit Mama usually goes along. She figures she is better able than he to judge just what looks good on him. But when Mama goes to make an important purchase for herself, she goes alone or takes another woman with her.
Result: Both Mama and Papa are pleased with Papa's suit, but all too often not even Mama is pleased with her purchase. Then why don't women take their husbands with them when they make their more important clothes selections?
A husband is a fine clothes critic. He doesn't have his head full of pre-conceived ideas planted there by fashion magazines interested in plugging the current 'promotion.' He doesn't give a hoot whether a suit has, 'the new sleeves' or the 'fashionable silhouette.' All he knows is whether what the little woman tries on is becoming or not.
Without wasting words he says 'That's swell' or 'That's terrible.' And his judgment is almost always right. He may not know clothes, but he knows when a woman looks well in what she is wearing.
ASKING ADVICE FIRST
But instead of using their husbands clothes criticism constructively—by asking their advice before they buy—most women buy their clothes first and then say, 'How do you like it?'
What sub-type of article is it?
Feminism
What keywords are associated?
Women Shopping
Husband Advice
Clothing Selection
Fashion Critique
Gender Roles
What entities or persons were involved?
Ruth Millett
Husbands
Women
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Women Consulting Husbands On Clothing Purchases
Stance / Tone
Advisory Encouragement For Spousal Input
Key Figures
Ruth Millett
Husbands
Women
Key Arguments
Women Often Seek Husbands' Help For Their Suits But Not Vice Versa
Husbands Provide Unbiased Clothing Critiques
Men Judge Based On What Looks Becoming, Not Fashion Trends
Women's Purchases Often Disappoint Due To Lack Of Male Input