Before we go however, let us take a look into your wardrobe. More
particularly let us come to some sort of understanding about what can
and what cannot be worn.
If it is a formal dance, which fact you should have ascertained before
you started to dress, you would of course wear an evening gown. As to
the particular type of evening gown let us go more into detail.
But why start there? There is no reason on earth why we should not
digress as far back as the bath.
But a bath, you say, is not always possible. To which I reply, a
cleansing of some sort is always possible, weather and taste permitting.
Very well, to the bath then.
Let it be a hot bath or shower followed by a cold dash and that
followed by a brisk rub-down. After the rub-down it isn’t at all a
bad idea to use a toilet water, not too penetrating in odor, over the
entire body. If you use toilet water of a particular scent be sure
to dust the entire body with a powder of the same scent. Whether the
toilet water is used or not, be sure to dust the body with the powder.
Care should be taken not to leave it in great, obvious dabs on the back
of the neck or between the shoulders.
Another good practice after a bath is to stand before a mirror and give
yourself a good once-over. This is not impossible anywhere, which is to
say that if the mirror is small you can stand a little distance from
it and get a very nice view of the ensemble. “Distance,” as they say,
“lends enchantment.”
Now for the lingerie. A young lady whom I know, recently showed me
a very beautiful outfit. It is a three piece combination: a tight
fitting brassiere; tailored trunks very similar to those worn by
trackmen and runners. Both of these were of satin. And over all is a
georgette slip. The latter may be dispensed with, according to the
weather and temperament of the wearer.
If you feel that an elastic girdle of some sort is absolutely
necessary, wear it, but be very careful that there are no rolls of
flesh protruding from its confines. If that, too, is impossible, let it
protrude where your various partners could not possibly notice it.
And now for the makeup. I was informed, only recently, by a young lady
whose appearance I was particularly admiring that she had on a very
light stage makeup. That is what I would advise. The base of this
particular makeup was wheatcroft which can be tinted to any color or
complexion desired. It is a vegetable compound and is quite good for
the skin. If you are disfigured by an excessive growth of hair on the
arms you will find wheatcroft quite desirable. The only trouble with it
is that it smells like a horse’s breath after he has eaten wheat. On
top of the wheatcroft, use whatever you like in good taste. Remember,
however, that your makeup must be just a little stronger for a dance
than for the street. Wheatcroft does not run.
Having done everything else, turn your attention now to that very
necessary detail, your perfume.
There are perfumes and perfumes. Some of them for one purpose and
some for another. Your job should have been from the age of fifteen to
familiarize yourself with the particular properties of each scent that
met your pretty nose. You should know by this time that perfumes were
first designed to take the place of baths. You should also know that
the present use of perfume is for quite another purpose which I cannot
go into here.
Let me add that your perfume affects a young man quite decidedly
whether he knows he’s being affected or not. A friend of mine tells me
that there are perfumes that can and do accomplish anything.
_Choose your perfume carefully and you have won half the battle._
So far I have given details of the toilet which would apply to any
dance. The dress and the coif, of course, must vary.