Thoughts on the Dress of American Ladies

Thoughts on the Dress of American Ladies

Roles of women, propriety, women's dress

A “gentleman” questions the choice of dresses that women are wearing. He identifies himself as a keen observer and even describes his observation to that of a philosopher. He states that the role of a woman is to seek to please and that this is the weapon given to her because of her nature of being the weaker sex. He also argues that without this “weapon” she is a slave and a slave does not have any virtues. He concludes with the wish of seeing women wear dresses that are simple and not elaborate with ornamentations of gold, silver, and diamonds.

The Columbian Magazine

American Periodicals

W. Young

Sep 1787

Tenzin Tsarong

English

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