We are in the habit of saying that such dress is "effeminate"; and one sometimes hears the remark that such or such an exquisitely attired gentleman is as well dressed as a footman.
Certain apparent discrepancies under this theory of dress merit a more detailed examination, especially as they mark a more or less evident trend in the later and maturer development of dress.

The vogue of the corset offers an apparent exception from the rule of which it has here been cited as an illustration.

A closer examination, however, will show that this apparent exception is really a verification of the rule that the vogue of any given element or feature in dress rests on its utility as an evidence of pecuniary standing.

It is well known that in the industrially more advanced communities the corset is employed only within certain fairly well defined social strata.

The women of the poorer classes, especially of the rural population, do not habitually use it, except as a holiday luxury.