Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-12-07

ECONOMY IN DRESs.-A dress that is so
peculiar as to be striking, either from its
| oriliancy of color or any other cause,
should be adopted only by woman who
has many changes of raiment, and so may
wear it only occasionally or the sight of
it becomes bore, even though al first it is
interesting from its novelty.
The woman who has many dresses can
also afford to give it away or convert it to
some other use before it is worn, while the
unobtrusive dress easily lends itself to some
different adjustment, which gives it an
entirely different aspect.
A woman who has but one best dress
can "wear it with difference" like the
rue Ophelia offers to her brother, so as to
make it suitable for many occasions. espeo-
tally if she have two waists or bodies as
the English call them. One skirt will cas-
| ily outlast two waists, and therefore this
is a real saving. But suppose there be
but one waist or the dress be made all in
one piece. 0han which there is no prettier
fashion) and it should be worn one day
high in the neck with collar and cuffs and
another day with the neck turned in. and
lace or muslin fichu gracefully adjusted
with bow or with flowers. and bit of
lace at the wrists, a pair of long gloves and
a more elaborate dressing of the hair, it
will be scarcely recognizable. But the
dress must be of very general character,
| like black silk, or some dark color, or the
pleasure of the new impression is lost.
The wise person with small capital
never buys any but good and lasting
thing. Each year she adds one or two
really solid possessions to her wardrobe,
which treated with care, last her many
years. Thus on really small sum she
may dress very beautifully. Without q
capital one is often obliged to buy what
can last but for few months; but there
is choice even here.
There is certainly gEeat economy in Il
woman's adopting for occasions of ceremo.
nv one dress from which she never diverg.
es. 1t becomes her characteristic, and
there is even kind of style and beauty in
the idea. The changing fashions in color
and meterial pass without affecting her
She is never induced to buy anything be-
cause 1t is new. She is always the same
! The dress in this case must have certain
simplicity. 1t costs her little though, lit.
| tie trouble and little time, and when the
old edition, becomes worn, gives way to
the new, the change is not perceived mol
is it noticed when the new In its turn be.
comes old.
Such dress as this must Of course lie with
in certain limits. Suppose it to be black
velvet: 1t would last, with care, at least
five or six years. Suppose it to be white
cashmere-a dress of small cost 1t would
with care, last two seasons; and then
cleaned, last another season or two; and
then, dyed, be turned into walking dress
to last two seasons more.
If dress is put on with grace its owner
alone is aware of its defects, and it is a
kindness to the spectator if she will keep
her own secret.
There is great economy in deciding OF
a few becoming colors In their severa
shades. and confining ones dress to these
Choosing colors that harmonize with eact
other. like gray, black, blue. yellow. white
and never buying any other colors, on'
may, in making ever garments, use one
with another so that nothing Is wasted.
1t is also important to know what poin