St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-27
DRESsMAKERs' ISLANDERS.
NeW York Nodiste 1rrdigns the TdSt
of UdsHin0.On Ladies'

| Il NcW York Hodiste Arraigns the Taste
| Of Washington LadieS.
Washington Letter to Cincinnati Com.
A lot of New York dressmakers have ar
rived here with large stock Of goods for
ladies' Inauguration ball outfits. They are
not flourishing because most of the ladies
who have been in society through the season
are already fixed for the ball They are not
happy lot by any means, as they allege that
their 'finery'' is not at all in demand. In
fact, they say that the society ladies of Wash
| ington do not know how to dress, and wear
sboddy goods on all occasions. One Of these
modistcs, in conversation about the matter
recently, said:
''Why, / have been to the most elegant
and important events that have taken place
here-the presidents receptions, the grand
| Society opera at the new opera house the
other night, where everybody was expected
to come in full dress, and other places-and
the sort OF stuff that 1 saw worn was perfect
astonishment."
"Cheap stuff"
"Cheap stuff Well, 1 should say so.
] Why, one would suppose that If lady had
| anything good she would wear it when In
vited to receive with the president on New
| some evening event in which she was not TO
be conspicuous figure; but for days re-
ception, in which the wearer was to assist
the president in doing the honors Of the day,
Of course the best thing that could be had
would be the proper thing. Well, with my
own eyes / saw one Of the ladies there ar
rayed in an old and much worn silk dress,
the front covered with lot Of cheap lace
that you can buy at any store for 81 cents a
yard"
''The general run Of dresses" she said,
''to be seen at such entertainments as those
mentioned are thin, cheap, 'sleazy' affairs,
| pulled together in any sort Of way-ill-ftting
and ill-inade and Of the cheapest material
| that can be had"
| The modiste, continuing, said:
Few people in Washington understand
| the art Of dressing well. The legation people,
| for instance, and there are few members Of
congress whose families dress well, but the
average congressman aud his family seem to
be under the impression that anything will
do so it makes a showing Of colors and
gloss.n
| Being asked what she considered good
prices, the modiste answered:
swell, 800 or 5000 for wrap, and from
$500 TO 5000 for dress. Now, here's some
material, for instance, uncut velvet on Old
gold ground, that costs Us between $50 and
and $40 a yard. You see there are only a
few pieces Of this particular pattern made By
the manufacturer in France. Then bis
agents distribute It iudicIously, few pieces
| to the United States, a few 10 Paris, a few 70
London, and so on the world over. 50 that It
5 We " rare and very costly by reason Of the
few pieces made upon very costly pattern.
Well, It doesn't take much Of this and Of the
sort Of lace l spoke Of little while ago 70
make dress cost something. just laid
aside dress for lady to-day which cost
$500. Now here is 2 wrap that costs over
1900 to import Here is another at 600.
There are others running down as low as
s75. For good, plain dress Of good mate
rial you will have to pay $3.50 or $500 Then
you may use this as a foundation Or as much
point lace and trimmings as you Ike, and
run the cost up as far as you desire. Or, If
yOu choose 70 90 on Washington style, you
can have one Of cheap satin, tuile and cheap
lace at SIS"