Huntsville gazette., 1882-01-14

| d. d. llE-NlO-Ny W. IL
ROCHESTER, N. Y. Dec. 30, 1851.
Economy in Dress, as in Everything,
Test Of the Best Breeding.
1t is to be regretted that economy is
not fashionable in America. As proof
that it is au questionable and even a
despised virtue, relegated by the rich to
the supposed exclusive use Of the poor,
who ever hears an American woman in
fashionable life, at least, utter the
words: 81 cannot afford it?'' In reality
waste only is vulgar, economy is emf
nently respectable and in good taste.
Unfortunately, however, those who prac-
tice economy hide it with as much care
as if it was crime, or something to be
ashamed of, while waste, which should
be considered the distinguishing mark
of the ignorant and the stupid, takes
first ranl with us as the heritage of the
g finest people, Happily the ''finest''
are not the "best people, and the
best people always know how to econo-
mize, how to use their means, whether
large or small, in such way as to make
them go as far as possible. The most
perfect lady, the best bred woman,
whether her means be large or small, is
she who knows in all things, but es-
pecially in the matter of dress, how to
expend her money to the best advan-'
tage. To dress well, a woman must give
certain portion of her time and some
conscientious thought to the subject.
To help those whose means are limited
to clearer understanding of the capa-
bilities of their position, so that they
may intellgently economize their re-
sources, we will give them some hints
drawn from the experiences of those
who have made it conscientious study.
Unless you can afford to have many
dresses, never purchase one, no matter
how cheap and beautiful it may be. that
is striking or peculiar either in novelty
of material or makeup or brilliancy OF
color. Select unobtrusive, good materi-
ais. and make them up into simple gar
ments. If you have but one "best
gown you can vary its appearance
much more easily from day to day with
the accessories of bows of ribbon, sashes,
scarfs and laces, if it is made in simple
rather than an elaborate style. One
skirt will outwear two trains, and it is
even practicable to make detachable
train for such dress, so that it can do
duty both asa costume de promenade
and an eve.yng toilet of high ceremony.
Laces of good quality and of several
kinds are always a good investment.
Even if not "real,' = they may be selected
of the best qualities of imitation, and are
more effective in Transforming well
selected ''best gown" into variety OF
toilets than any other accessory that we.
can suggest. Then they last from year
to year, and the older they are the more
valuable they become, and the more
beautiful if well managed.
The best materials for ''best gown
while of necessity lying within certain
limits, are sufficient to choose from.
Suppose it to be of black velvet or plush,
it would last with care for five or six
years. If of white or cream cashmere or
Chudda cloth, it could be made to do
duty, with variety of ribbons and
laces, for three seasons, and then be
utilized by dyeing and turned into a
walking dress for two seasons more.
Black satin de Lyon or satin merveil-
leuse, and plain black silk of good quail
ity are excellent materials for such
dress when velvet cannot be afforded
and cashmere is not preferred. Black
satin of the best quality can hardly be
worn out in twenty years. If, to pre-
vent fraying, good, deep seams are
taken, and the bottom of the skirt well
defended by wide Titan braid, or
good binding (and for this purpose moth
ing is better than cloth), satin robe can
be worn for twenty years; and when such
a dress becomes passe as dress, the
stuff can be used for bows, bonnet trim
mings, cording, piping, facings, revers,
bindings-everything that comes under
the head of trimmings or accessories.
Here are some of the best wearing,
lasting and seryiceable dress goods for
dresses of other than ceremonious uses
Corduroy, which is very durable and
will dye, cashmere, merino, alpaca, all
soft-fnished India cashmeres, and
Chudda, Shooda, and Radzimir cloths,
no matter by what name they are called.
Fine, good flannels and all cloths wear
well, and will dye. Foulard silk is one
of the cheap materials that will last, and
look well to the last. All linen goods
last well. Fine calicoes, fine satteens,
and fine printed goods of all kinds, and
good ginghams are good investments.
Cheap, unwashable goods are never
economical.
Do not economize, or try to econo-
mize, by purchasing cheap bonnets, or
gloves, or cheap shoes. The handsomest
toilet is degraded by an old pair of shoes,
an ill-6tting or cheap glove, or shabby
bonnet. The bonnet must be of best
materials, late style, and fresh.
In the matter of wraps it is difficult
to advise. Cashmere and India Grape
shawls, it must be remembered, how
ever, never go out of fashion, while
velvet and satin jetted and fringed dol
mans and visites do. One of those
really handsome visites, such as give
distinction to a lady's toilet, costs more
than the shawl.
Never wear cheap or imitation jewelry.
No one is deceived thereby. If you can
not afford real and handsome Jewels,
- a.