The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1882-02-04
ECONOMY IN DRESS, AS IN EVERY
THING. A TEST OF THE BEST
BREEDING.

not fashionable in America. As proof
that it is an questionable and even
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:
al cannot afford il ?" In reality waste
only is vulgar, economy is emincntly
respectable and in good taste. Unfor-
tunately, however, those who practice
economy hide it with as much care as il
il 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 rank with us as the heritage of the
"fnest people," Happily the "finest"
are not the "best people" and the best
people always know how to economize,
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 he large or small, is she who
knows in all things, bu; especially in the
matter Of dress, how 10 expend her
morcy to the best advantage. To dress
we'll, woman must give certain por-
tion of her time and some conscientious
thought to the subject. To help those
whose means are limited to a clearer
understanding Of the capabilities Of their
position, so that they may intelligently
economic their resources, We will give
them some hints drawn from the cxper-
fences of those who have made il 4 con-
scientious 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 unoblrusiye. good matcri-
ais, and make them up into simple gar
mcn,s. II you have but one ''bcst
gown" YOU can vary its appearance
much more easily from day to day with
the accessories OF bows of ribbon, sashcs,
Scaris and laccs, il i; is made in simple
rather than an elaborate style. One
skirt will outwear two trains, and il is
even practicable 10 make 4 detachable
train for such dress, so that il can do
duty both rs 4 costume de promenade
and an evening toilet of high ceremony.
Laces of good quality and Of several
kinds are always good Investment
Even if no; ''real, they may be selected
of the best qualities of imitation, and are
more effective in transforming 4 we'll
selected 'best gown" into a 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 il we'll managed.
The best materials for "best gown,
while OF necessity living within certain
limits, are sufficient TO choose FROM
Suppose tito be OF black velvet or plush,
i, would last with care for five or six
years. II OF white or cream cashmere
or Chudda cloth, it could be made to do
duty, with 4 variety of ribbons and
laces. for three seasons, and then be
utilized by dyeing and turned into
walking dress for two seasons more
Black satin de Lyon or satin mcrveil-
leuse, and plain black silk Of good quail
ity are excellent materials for such 4
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 4
good binding and for this purpose moth
ing is better than cloth, satin robe
can be worn for twenty years; and when
such dress becomes passe As 4 dress,
the stuff can be used for bows, bonne,
trimmings, cording, piping facing re-
vers, Misunderstanding that comes
under the head of trimmings or acces-
sories.
Here are some OF the best wearing,
lasting and scrviceable dress goods for
dresses OF other than cercmonious uses !:
Corduroy, which is very durable and
will dye, cashmere, merino, alpaca, all
soft Unfinished India cashmeres, and Chud-
da, Shooda, and Radzimir cloths, no
matter by what name they are called.
Fine, good fiannels and all cloths wear
we'll, 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 satieens,
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 cheapshoes. The handsomest
toilet is degraded by an old pair of shoes,
an ill., fitting 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, il must be remembered, how
ever, never 60 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 lady's toilet, costs more
than the shawl.
Never wear cheaper imitation jewclry.
No one is deceived thereby. II you
cannot afford real and handsome jewels,
substitute bows Of ribbon and flowers
for evening, and good silver, jet, steel,
or enamel clasp for day wear. Agate
stones set in oxidized silver make one
of the prettiest and most elegant, be
cause most sensible, of inexpensive scar
or shawl pins. The topaz is one, the
amethyst another, inexpensive jewel
which, when we'll set, is in better taste
for the adornment of lady's finished
toilet than an imitation diamond ol
Rhine crystal ornament. Coral also
when of good color, well set, and be
coming to the complexion Of the wearer
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