Kenosha Telegraph

BLOOMER COSTUME.
Mr. Editor:
Being but "a looker on in Venice," having no position in fashionable society, I still feel an interest in suppressing this style of dress, believing it to be very closely connected with the respectability of my sex.
The convenience of this dress has been very well discussed and settled. It amounts in the end to but very little. And does it overbalance the objections? An American woman's character depends not upon any one virtue; she must observe all the proprieties of life, in order to make a proper distinction between virtue and vice. Is it consistent with the dignity of woman to enter the drawing-room warmly advocating the cause of moral reform—and pass from thence into the street clad in so unbecoming a manner, that a crowd of vagabond boys follow hissing after her, with as little respect as they would show the vile pitiful creature she is so anxious to reclaim.
The principle, on which this is adopted, is objectionable. The setting aside long established customs, and assuming an independence to which we have no right, (that of public opinion) simply because most gentlemen like the dress, and think it gives a youthful pretty look. Does not this wonderful independence originate in reading French Romances; they have been very popular of late years. It seems but a natural consequence that we should begin to ape the manners, and morals of French heroines. Gentlemen are perhaps not aware of the influence they exert over the minds of ladies, and therefore are not sufficiently cautious in sanctioning customs, which, to say the least are doubtful propriety. There is no occasion to bring forward a Joan of Arc, as a model for American ladies of the present generation. (Thanks to our many noble minded and talented statesmen.) Though there are doubtless many, very many of us that would perform with surprising alacrity. the feats of our grandmothers, (should occasion require.) would walk all night alone, undaunted unashamed, to the camp of a Washington, to give the warning of the approach of an enemy; but could not find courage or bravado sufficient to promenade Main street in trowsers. No, not even for the laudable ambition of hearing the gentlemen say we looked very youthful and pretty.
The dress styled Bloomer dress, is not only unbecoming, but unsafe. It does not sufficiently protect the wearer in inclement weather. In a variable climate like ours, a woman must frequently walk through wet streets; then trowsers become wet about the ankle. she cannot loosen them. and they freeze to the ankle, or remain wet until she can return home, which is a great exposure to the health.
If the bottom of our present dress becomes wet, as is often the case, it may freeze or otherwise, so long as it is unconnected with our limbs, our lives are not endangered, ladies can dress in a very becoming manner, without over-stepping the bonds of propriety in any way, and as dress is an index to the mind, they should study neatness and simplicity, as industriously as they would cultivate the christian virtues.
Will the next step in reform be to lay aside our bonnets on entering a house of worship or other public assemblies, or shall we remain content with the present custom, and study to perform our domestic duties with order and decorum. and by a becoming propriety of dress and manner, add grace and dignity to our position, giving a cheerful influence to the family circles. and reflecting honor on our husbands and fathers. Much might be said against this dress, but it seems an idle waste of words on a foolish subject. Gentlemen like it, well, let them advocate the cause, and spend their manly eloquence on the Bloomer dress, most profitable occupation for our wise ones.
DORITHEA.