The dictionary of daily wants / [Robert Kemp Philp].

  • Robert Kemp Philp
Date:
[1861]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The dictionary of daily wants / [Robert Kemp Philp]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    whole, and also in the contrast and combina- tion of the different frarments. The first rule in the harmony of dress is a quiet and subdued tone of colourin'?, elegance, neat- ness, and simplicity. All gaudy colours and large staring patterns are olfensive to the eye, and convey an idea of vulgarity. Tlie object of the wearer of such apparel is ; avowetily to attract attention and produce '■ an impression; and this is most effectually achieved, but whether favourably or un- favourably it is unnecessary to state. It has been truly said that a gentleman to be pro- > perhj dressed should not be able to leave behind him the remembrance of any one particular garment he has on, but only the conviction of a genUenwnhj style not easily | definable. | The opposite appearances wliich different styles of costume give to the wearer is well knomi and shouldf be taken advantage of. Tall persons, for instance, will look shorter in dress coats, short persons taller in sur- touts; stout men appear thinner in black, and thin people stouter in light colours, rersons with dark complexions should be very careful in the selection of colours; but fair persons are allowed a greater latitude, because the contrasts created aa-e seldom so conspicuous. Black is always becoming; it also sets off the whiteness of the linen, and seri'es as the groundwork or frame for the introduction of any other colour. ' 'file manner in which clothes are worn ma-1 terially affects their appearance: if they be ever so well made in the first instance, and are carelessly put on and negli:ently ad- justed, they will always have a clumsy and awkward look. On putting on a coat it should be pulled down at the waist, and fitted to the fifjure by two or three gentle movements of tiie arms. Waistcoats Siould be buttoned from the top, and the buckle at the back adjusted to the figure; trousers should be put on after the boots, and not before, and their height should be properly regulated by , the braces. It is always better to have two I suits of clothes, and wear them on alternate ! days; otherwise, incessant use produces a confirmed derangement of shape, such as bagginess at the knees, bulging at the cibows, and creases about the waist. The preservation of clothes depends, as a rnatter of course, greatly upon the care that is bestowed upon them, for under fa- vourable circumstances they will last twice as long as when they are neglected. It is better to brush them with a whisk made of loose twigs than with a hard brush, as the 'lap i.s soon worn off by the frequent appli- cation of the latter. When mud in any ‘luantity has collected on clothes it should be removed by rubbing two parts against other. When clothes are put away they should be hung up in a wardrobe or Closet in preference to being folded up in 'irawcrs or boxes, as wrinkles are almost *0 follow the latter method. Apparel nould be occasionally beaten in the open air with a thin smooth cane, and then laiil and thoroughly brushed, but this snouui not be done too frequently or roughly. A lounging dress should always be adopted for the house, which by being substituted in the evening for the costume that has been worn during the day will add both to com- fort and economy. But when it is not prac- ticable to chanM the whole attire the coat at least should be substituted; this not only applies to home wear of an evening, but should also be adopted during an employ- ment that is likely to be prejudicial. The renovation of apparel is another great consideration, especially to persons with limited means. 'The following receipt will be found useful for renovating black cloth. Boil four ounces of logwood in a boiler or copper containing two or three gallons ol water for half an hour. Dip the clothes (wliich have been previously well brushed) in warm rvater, and squeeze them dry, then put them into a copper, and boil for half an hour, then take them out and hang them up for an hour or two; take them down, rinse them in three cold waters, dry well, and rub with a soft brush which has had a few drops of olive eil rubbed on its surface. If the clothes are threadbare about the elbows, cuff's, &c., raise the nap with a teazel or half- worn hatter’s card, filled with flocks, and when sufliciently raised, lay the nap the right way with a hard brush. Grease spots or stains may be removed by a teaspoonful of the essential oil of lemon, mixed with a wineglassful of spirits of turpentine. 'The next important consideration in con- nection with apparel is its influence upon the bodily health and comfort. The natural heat of the body is ascertained to be 98 deg., any degree of heat or cold above or below this is prejudicial to health if it continue for a length of time ; the great aim with regard to dothmg should be, therefore, so to regu- late it according to climate and season, that it may have the power of retaining or passing off heat, as occasion may require. In our variable climate we ought never to discard our winter clothin too early, nor to wear our summer apparel to late; and the safest plan is to make the change gradually, so that the body may be accustomed and inured to it. Apparel should always be easy and torsi! flttmg, so that every member of the bovly may be unimpeded in its action, and permitted to develop itself naturally. No stress or pressure should be allowed on any part of the body. Cravats, garters, buckles, and other ligatures fastened tightly tend to obstruct the natural flow of blood, and act injuriously upon the system gene- rally. In cold weather an adclltion to the clothes usually worn in the house should be made upon venturing out, and upon return- ing into a warm room from the cold air the e.xtra clothing should be gradually laid aside. Persons of delicate constitutions should pay the strictest attention to their api)arel, and study health in preference to appearance, it is absolutely necessary that such persons should always be well protected ne.xt their skin, so as to bo prepared for any atmos- pheric changes that may suddenly take jtlace. Damp or wet clothing should be taken off'as quickly as possible, the serious consequences ol negl'.’cting this precaution are too well known to**oe lUrther dwelt on. o
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