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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 6 (December 1, 1931)

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“She knows just how to wear her clothes!” How often we hear this said about one of our friends–and then again–“She has some simply divine things–but she never looks well-dressed!” Wherein lies that subtle distinction between the “chic” girl and the “frump?” It is not a question of money–although we cannot deny that it is far easier for the wealthy woman to express herself in her clothes–than for her less financial sister who is compelled by “fell circumstance” to haunt sales–to lurk at bargain counters–to scheme, to renovate, to fight bravely in order to keep abreast of Dame Fashion in her flights and caprices. Yet often have I met with an undeniably smart girl belonging to the more numerous latter band–and I take off my hat to her and give her all honour!

Undoubtedly a “sense of dress” is an invaluable gift and has been handed down by Eve to her daughters since the days of fig-leaves! But some of us have lost it, some think it matters not—others rely too confidently upon the charm of a pretty face and do not bother about “fine feathers.” If we look long enough among our possessions we will find hidden away this “dress sense” waiting to be cultivated–waiting to tell us the difference between “getting into clothes” and “putting clothes on.” I believe it is the duty of every woman, since civilization demands that she shall be clad, to enhance her beauty by soft colours, delicate suggestions, subtle blendings–rather than disguise her form in unlovely, inexpressive totally uninteresting “coverings.”

It requires mentality to be well-dressed–rather more than money–observation and appreciation of beauty of line, of form and of colour–a sense of the suitable and the unartificial–a desire to be your best possible self. “She thinks of simply nothing but clothes,” we hear, “and spends every penny on her back.”–but we don't realize the character she is developing, while indulging, perhaps too excessively, in the ardornment of her being. “The Beggar Maid in her rags had a sense of dress, an undefinable gift of charm and style, and it won for her the love of a king.”

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