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.