What a Woman Should Know (part two)

Last week I introduced part one of a little booklet published in 1904 by the White Sewing Machine Company entitled What a Woman Should Know by George M Vickers.

In this section of part two we learn what ladies of the early 20th century were taught concerning a graceful form, the bust, the hair and the eyes.

Everyone paying attention? Then, by all means, let's proceed.

Page 2:

The Bust. - Never wear any cotton or heavy cloth to pad the breast; by heat and absorption they diminish the size of the bust. Pads made of sea-grass or hair are light, cool, and impart a graceful curve. The same thing applies to the hips, when they are small.

The Eyes.-It has been said that the eyes are the windows of the soul; and there is truth in the expression. The eyes are looked at more than any other portion of the face. It is well, then, to acquire an expression that is pleasing. This can be easily done. Avoid frowning; do not draw your eyelids up in a bunch when facing a light, as though you were closing a purse, neither make a face; rather shade your eyes with your fan or hand. By cultivating a pleasant expression of the eyes you avoid wrinkles and crow's feet, and can really rid yourself of those already visible.

The Hair.-No matter what the style may be, always wear your hair in the way that makes you look the prettiest. Not to do this is to sacrifice your beauty to mere fashion. Shun the use of hair bleaches, hair preparations and dyes, if you would not ruin your tresses. Brush your hair every morning with a stiff brush; and if it is harsh or dry, a tonic of bay rum, quinine* and glycerine^ can be had of your druggist for a trifle. This gently rubbed through the hair to the scalp, once or twice a week, will make the hair silken, glossy, and prevent it from falling out.

A Graceful Form.-The first requisite to a proper form is an erect carriage. Stand naturally, with your weight on the front part of your feet, then drop your shoulders back, so that standing before a mirror sideways you can see that you have overcome any tendency to stoop; there is no effort required, no necessity for elevating the chin; if you stand as directed the head will take care of itself. Observe this in walking, and you will have gained one of the chief points in a good figure. Do not think that a very small waist is attractive - it is not. While it is proper and conducive to health that all women should wear corsets, yet the corsets should be well fitted to the form and extend over the hips, and only elastic cords used; the latter will not interfere with breathing, and will overcome some of the dangers of tight lacing.

Upcoming in part three of What a Woman Should Know: The Eyebrows, The Ears, and The Lips.

* Quinine was not just a treatment for malaria. In the early twentieth century it was used in Clubman Pinaud Quinine Compound Tonic to help relieve itchy scalp.

^ Glycerol is used in medical and pharmaceutical and personal care preparations, mainly as a means of improving smoothness, providing lubrication and as a humectant.