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176
The Science of Dress.
[CHAP. XI.

weight of the garments attached to it. It should be high in the neck, but need not have long sleeves; it should be cut very short on the shoulders (see Plate 5, line G, H), and well sloped out under the arms, so as not to impede their movements. Over each hip a button should be sewn to support the suspenders of the stockings (Plate 5, c, d). Here be it observed that woollen stockings should always be worn, and that suspenders ought invariably to be substituted for the ordinary elastic garter, which tends to interfere with the circulation of the lower part of the leg, producing cold feet, and has even been known to cause varicose veins by checking the return of the blood towards the heart. Above the buttons for the suspenders should be four, one towards the front of each hip and one towards the back, for the petticoat to be attached to; this will also require two buttons on the abdomen, as shown in the picture, and two about three or four inches apart on the back to support it properly. They should be placed on the curve a, b, in Plate 5. If the drawers are fastened to the bodice, buttons for them can be sewn on between those for the suspenders and those for the petticoat. (See Plate 5, E, F.) The petticoat shown in Fig. 14 is the much-maligned "divided skirt," which I think my readers will agree with me is not such a very dreadful-looking thing after all. It must be obvious that each petticoat that is worn not only adds to the weight of the dress, but also impedes the movements of the legs by constantly pressing