The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-02-11
Economy in Dress, as in Everything
Test Of the Best Breeding.

1t is to be regretted that economy Is
not fashionable in America. AS a PROOF
that it is au 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: - I cannot afford it?" In reality
waste only is vulgar, economy is emil
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 De
ashamed of, while waste, which should
be considered the distinguishing mark
81 the ignorant and the stupid, takes
first rank with us as the heritage o. tne
" finest people.' Happily the "hnest
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 90 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, 9woman must give
a 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 intelligently economize their re-
sources, we win 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 a detachable
train for such dress, so that it can do
duty both as costume de promenade
and an evening toilet of high ceremony.
: Laces of good quality and of several
kinds are always good investment.
Even if not "real, !" they may be selected
of the best qualities of imitation, and are
more effective in Transforming q we'll
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 OF 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 a 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 merveil-
leuse, and plain black silk of good quail
ity are excellent materials for such a
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 a wide Titan braid, or a
good binding (and for this purpose moth
ing is better than cloth), q satin robe can
be worn for twenty years; and when such
a dress becomes passe as a 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 .serviceable dress goods for
dresses of other than ceremonious uses
Corduroy, which is very durable and
will dye. cashmere, merino, alpaca, all
soft finished India cashmeres, and
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
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-fittiDg or cheap glove, or q shabby
bonnet. The bonnet must be of best
late style, and fresh.
In the matter of wraps it is difficult
10 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 a. give
distinction to lady's toilet, costs moro
han the shawl.
Never wear cheap or imitation jewelry.
No one is deceived thereby. If you can
not afford real and handsome Jewels,
substitute bows Of ribbon and flowers
'or evening, and good silver. jet, steel,
'r enamel clasp for day wear. Agate
stones set in oxidized silver make one