What a Woman Should Know (part eleven)

This is the final excerpt from the booklet What a Woman Should Know by George M Vickers printed in 1904 by the White Sewing Machine Company of Cleveland, Ohio.

Last time in part ten we learned the colors that complimented each other. In this lesson we learn how to use veils, fans and gloves in the correct color to show our features in the best light. In my case, I'm sure a white veil over my face will go well with my ratty t-shirt, blue jeans and work boots as I dig post holes for the fence.

But, seriously, I have enjoyed sharing the information from this little booklet with all who have taken the time to read these posts, and hopefully you have received a bit of enjoyment as well.

Page 14:

Regarding Veils.-A veil is miraculously charming. Fine tulle does not remind one of the origin of veils nor for what they were at first intended. In principle the veil was a defense for modesty; in Turkey a woman's veil is a piece of stuff with openings at the eyes.
In Europe, on the contrary, it is a piquant embellishment, which hides the imperfections and make beauty appear to greater advantage. A white tulle with black dots is the most becoming veil; it gives freshness to the complexion and brilliancy to the eyes. An entirely white veil is becoming to a brunette with a pale complexion. Never wear red, violet nor blue veils. They make atrocious reflections upon the most beautiful complexion.
Fans.-In the hands of an intelligent, clever woman there is nothing more adorning or attractive than a fan. It can be used to such advantage in imparting light and shade to the features that more than one heart has been conquered by these tiny, fluttering fans. It is, therefore, important to observe great care in selecting a fan with either neutral or appropriate colors, because being brought so near the face in use, it can either increase or diminish the beauty of the complexion.
Gloves and Parasols.-The same regard should be given to the selection of these articles.
Colors That Show Well at Night.-The colors that gain in brilliancy under gas or electric light include Light Browns, Crimsons, Scarlets, Orange and Light Greens. Those which lose their brilliancy are shades of Purple, Lilac, Dark blues and Dark Greens. Purple and orange harmonize by daylight, but make a wretched combination under gas or electric light. It is well to remember this in selecting colors for morning or evening wear.
The Effect of Colors Upon Others.-It is strange that colors should have a decided influence upon the beholder, yet such is the fact. Some colors produce a soothing effect upon the mind; some a cold, harsh sensation, and others an exhilarating feeling or joyousness. The following describes the influence produced by the principal four of the primary colors:
Green is the color of spring time. It is suggestive of youthfulness, happiness, prosperity, and bright hope and affection. Green has a grateful, calming, cooling and refreshing effect upon the mind and the nerves. It is the most restful color for the eyes.
Blue is cold and receding. It is both tranquilizing and attractive. Owing to its cold effect, it is suggestive of the cool, blue vault of heaven, and of winter; which attributes make it a most desirable and pleasing color for a summer dress.
Yellow is essentially a bright color; it is closely allied to the color of the heavenly planets, and approaches light. It is the most brilliant of all colors, and serves to modify all other colors. The effect of yellow upon the mind is much the same as that of light. It produces gayety and gladness. It should be used with discretion in apparel; not too much, and preference being given to the darker shades, such as old gold, maize, and other modifications. It produces a fine harmony when used as a trimming on brown and the autumn-leaf shades.
Red is the most powerful, the warmest, and the most conspicuous of all colors. On this account red is contained in almost every nation's flag, as a signal; it is also used in many uniforms. Red is the most suitable color for winter, and may be used as a waist, coat, scarf or hood with most pleasing effect. Used in trimming a garment, or even a skirt, or entire dress of this color, the result is bright, warm and gay.
Conclusion.-The hints and information contained in the foregoing pages will prove of the greatest value to the youthful maiden, no less than to her older sisters. It may be given by a mother to her daughter with the assurance that it will guide her to beauty and the art of dressing becomingly.

Inside Back Cover:

Over twenty-seven years intelligent catering to the family sewing machine trade has enables us to produce a machine that ought to make it first choice for every machine user.
The White has penetrated to the four quarters of the globe-
What's done it? Simply merit.
It can talk in neither Spanish, Portuguese, French nor Italian, but it has a language that is understood and appreciated wherever there is sewing to be done and that is "satisfactory work."
Fidelity to your better interests demands at least a trial of the White. 

Outside Back Cover:

Every Woman Should Know
About the White Tension Indicator as well as the many other improvements which are exclusively White. Our machine excels in the character and number of its labor saving devices - that means more and better sewing for less labor. Vibrator and Rotary Shuttle styles.
Our New H.T. Catalogues tell the whole story. They are free.

White Sewing Machine Co.,

Cleveland, Ohio.

On This Day - Vigee Lebrun

Louise Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun was born on April 16, 1755 

in Paris, France.

She was a prolific portrait painter in the Rococo style.

Self-portrait of Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun

Lady Folding a Letter

The Bather, ca 1792

On This Day - Rousseau

Theodore Rousseau was born April 15, 1812 in Paris, France.

His numberous landscape paintings were done in the Realism style.

Theodore Rousseau (1812-1867)

Gateway, ca 1855

Village Under the Trees

What a Woman Should Know (part ten)

A series of excerpts from the booklet What a Woman Should Know by George M Vickers printed in 1904 by the White Sewing Machine Company of Cleveland, Ohio.

Last time in part nine we learned the importance of wearing colors that harmonize with the four different complexions: Blonde, Demi-Blonde, Pale Brunette and Decided Brunette. Today's excerpt lists the colors that complement each other.
Look at a group of three or four colors this way: the first two are basic, and the other two are accessory colors.

         Page 12:

By observing the rule of harmony in the following list, colors in both dress goods and trimmings can be safely selected. In ordering by mail, or purchasing for others, they will prove most useful.

The Colors That Harmonize Blue and gold.
Blue and orange.
Blue and salmon-color.
Black and white.
Black and orange.
Black and maize.
Black and scarlet.
Black and lilac.
Black and pink.
Black and slate-color.
Black and drab or buff.
Black, yellow (or white), and crimson.
Black, orange, blue, and scarlet.
Blue and drab.
Blue and stone-color.
Blue and white (or gray).
Blue and straw-color.
Blue and maize.
Blue and chestnut (or chocolate).
Blue and brown.
Blue and black.
Blue, scarlet, and purple (or lilac).
Blue, orange, and black.
Blue, orange, and green.
Blue, brown, crimson, and gold (or yellow).
Blue, orange, black, and white.
Crimson and gold.
Crimson and orange.
Crimson and maize.
Crimson and purple.
Crimson and drab.
Green and gold.
Green and yellow.
Green and orange.
Green and scarlet.
Green, scarlet, and blue.
Green, crimson, blue, and gold.
Lilac and gold.
Lilac and maize.
Lilac and cherry.
Lilac and scarlet.
Lilac and crimson.
Lilac, scarlet, and black (or white).
Lilac, gold color, and crimson.
Lilac, yellow (or gold), scarlet, and white.
Orange and chestnut.
Orange and brown.
Orange, lilac, and crimson.
Orange, red, and green.
Orange, blue, and crimson.
Orange, purple, and scarlet.
Orange, blue, scarlet, and purple.
Orange, blue, scarlet, and claret.
Orange, blue, scarlet, white, and green.
Purple and gold.
Purple and orange.
Purple and maize.
Purple and blue.
Purple, scarlet, and gold-color.
Purple, scarlet, and white.
Purple, scarlet, blue, and orange.
Purple, scarlet, blue, yellow, and black.
Red and gold (or gold color).
Red and white (or gray).
Red, orange, and green.
Red, yellow, and black.
Red, gold-color, black, and white.
Scarlet and purple.
Scarlet and blue.
Scarlet and orange.
Scarlet and slate-color.
Scarlet, black and white.
Scarlet, blue, and white.
Scarlet, blue, and gray.
Scarlet, blue, and yellow.
Scarlet, blue, black, and yellow.
White and scarlet.
White and crimson.
White and cherry.
White and pink.
White and brown.
Yellow and purple.
Yellow and blue.
Yellow and violet.
Yellow and brown.
Yellow and red.
Yellow and black.
Yellow and chestnut (or chocolate).
Yellow, purple, and crimson.
Yellow, purple, scarlet, and blue.

Upcoming in part eleven we learn about Veils, Fans, Gloves and Parasols.

On This Day - Lowe

Arthur Lowe was born on April 11, 1865 in Nottingham, United Kingdom.

His landscape paintings were done in the Impressionism style.

Arthur Lowe (1865-1940)

The Elbow by Arthur Lowe

Clifton Grove by Arthur Lowe

What a Woman Should Know (part nine)

A series of excerpts from the booklet What a Woman Should Know by George M Vickers printed in 1904 by the White Sewing Machine Company of Cleveland, Ohio.

Last week in part eight we learned the measurements of the perfect woman. Oh boy. Wasn't that fun?! I guess as I shrink with age I'll eventually be the height of the perfect woman, but then who knows where my other measurements will have gone.

Today we learn what colors are best for different complexions. So, Ladies, with your color swatches in hand let's begin.

         Page 10:

How to Dress.-The most attractive dress worn by a woman is the one that in color harmonizes with her complexion. The material of a dress, and even the matter of fitting well, are unimportant when compared with the color of the trimmings and other articles worn.
     There are four complexions: Blonde, Demi-Blonde, Pale Brunette and Decided Brunette.

The Blonde, with a white, delicate skin; eyes either gray or light blue, and hair ranging in hue from auburn to light yellow, or golden. For this complexion green is the most complementary color, because it imparts a delicate, rosy tint to the cheeks. The most delicate shades of green form a most beautifying contrast to the face and hair, particularly if the latter inclines to deep golden or orange. A green bonnet trimmed with a little rose-color and white flowers, or a white feather, is quite becoming. The following colors are all best suited to the blonde: Green, in varying shades; light blue; mauve; white; black; gray; fawn; slate; and in trimming a dress or bonnet, red, yellow, rose-color or pink may be used, but not too near the face or hair.

The Demi-Blonde has dark blue, hazel or brown eyes; her complexion is fair, but the cheeks are nearly always rosy, or in times of merriment or exercise decidedly carnation; her hair is brown. The demi-blonde may wear all the colors suited to the blonde, except that dark green may be worn as well as light green. Sage, tea and olive greens are very becoming. The rule is: The deeper the ruddiness of the complexion, the more delicate the shade of color.

The Pale Brunette has a pale skin, often with a delicate amber tint; the hair from dark brown to nearly black; the eyes from dark brown to almost brown-black.
     The strong contrast between the hair and eyes, and the complexion of the skin, shows that decided colors, either light of dark, are better suited to the pale brunette than the neutral or lighter tints. Black, white, claret, russet, gold-colors, brown and crimson are the best colors; but others may be used to trim either bonnet or dress, when employed with a regard to harmony.

The Decided Brunette, whose rich-hued, warm-tinted skin, her coral lips, black hair and eyes, make her the most dazzlingly beautiful type of womanhood, may wear with fine effect: Scarlet, yellow, gold-color, maize, orange, bright crimson, dark red, black and white; the latter should be, if a dress, trimmed with yellow, scarlet or orange.

Next time in part ten we will view the Colors That Harmonize.

On This Day - Waterhouse

John William Waterhouse was born on April 6, 1849 in Rome, Italy.

He painted in the Romantic style of the early 19th century.

John William Waterhouse
Photo by H.S. Mendelssohn

The Soul of the Rose, ca 1908

Narcissus, ca 1912

On This Day - Anker

Albert Anker was born on April 1, 1831 in Switzerland.

He was a realism painter.

Self portrait 1891 - Albert Anker

ca 1865

ca 1884