This selection was featured in Vol. 1 Issue 3 of, Genteel Girlhood Companion. Miss Iva Pristine Solution is reminiscent of the Victorian query columns. We hope you enjoy the suggestions of the fictional Miss Iva.

Dear Miss Iva,

I have quite a perplexing problem, which, as of yet, I have found no solution. Please allow me to give an example, from the many incidents I have recorded in my journal. It was a crisp fall day, and after finishing my morning devotions I opened my wardrobe doors to find all my fall and winter dresses, shirtwaists, and pinafores, were fresh out of storage. “Meg, must have done that while I was in town yesterday,” I thought to myself. So I picked out a vibrant, orange patterned shirtwaist and a cherry, pink walking skirt. “What a beautiful ensemble,” I mused, as I viewed my attire in the mirror. Down the stairs I glided, to help mother in the kitchen. However, I scarcely made it to the main floor when mamma gasped, “Isabelle, what a ghastly combination! I dare say, my girl, your choice in clothing colors leaves much to be desired.”

So, my dear Miss Iva, each morning my color combinations seem to wax worse, as the seasons pass. Could you please assist me? My mother has tried so many, many times to help me, but I still seem to choose colors which clash horridly. If it isn’t my shirtwaist and dress, it will be my cape, or my shawl, or some other article of clothing. I dare say I’m quite at my wits end; I’m almost 18 and I still cannot match colors.

Thank you for your time, and I do appreciate your care in responding as soon as possible.

Perplexed and Discouraged,
Miss Match

 

Dear Miss Match,

I can sympathize with you, friend. Our millenaries offer a wide variety of delightful colors which harmonize beautifully, when matched correctly. I found, in one of my etiquette books, a possible solution to your dilemma. You will find the article enclosed. Do not be discouraged, after a few weeks, following these simple guidelines, I'm sure you'll find matching colors comes quite easily.

Best wishes to you!
Miss Iva Pristine Solution

It is very difficult to tell what colors will harmonize. We will give a full list of those which do, and hope it will be of some assistance to ladies in making up an appropriate and harmonious costume...

Blue and salmon color.
Blue and drab.
Blue and orange.
Blue and white.
Blue and straw color.
Blue and maize.
Blue and chestnut.
Blue and brown.
Blue and black.
Blue and gold.
Blue, scarlet, and purple.
Blue, orange, and black.
Blue, orange, and green.
Blue, brown, crimson, and gold.
Blue, orange, black, and white.
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.
Black and buff.
Black, yellow, and crimson.
Black, orange, blue, and scarlet.
Crimson and drab.
Crimson and gold.
Crimson and orange.
Crimson and maize.
Crimson and purple.
Green and scarlet.
Green, scarlet, and blue.
Green, crimson, blue, and gold.
Green and gold.
Green and yellow.
Green and orange.
Lilac and crimson.
Lilac, scarlet, black, and white.

Lilac, gold, and crimson.
Lilac, yellow, scarlet, and white.
Lilac and gold.
Lilac and maize.
Lilac and cherry.
Lilac and scarlet.
Purple, scarlet, and gold.
Purple, scarlet, and white.
Purple, scarlet, blue, and orange.
Purple, scarlet, blue, yellow, and black.
Purple and gold.
Purple and orange.
Purple and maize.
Purple and blue.
Red and gold.
Red and white.
Red and gray.
Red, orange, and green.
Red, yellow, and black.
Red, gold, black, and white.
Scarlet, and slate color.
Scarlet, black, and white.
Scarlet, blue, and white.
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 chestnut.
Yellow and brown.
Yellow and red.
Yellow and crimson.
Yellow and black.
Yellow, purple, and crimson.
Yellow, purple, scarlet, and blue.
Yellow and purple.
Yellow and violet.