The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1891-07-17
a womAN's DRESS EXCHANGE
VIXEN the 400 Sell Their Costumes and
When the 400, 600 Huy.

Wuen a man OF fashion mas tired OF his
slightly-wOrn clothing he disposes OF it
with reckless generosity 70 his valet or
butler, or to any needy friend or rels-
tive who Will take it out of his way.
But what becomes Of the gowns the
fashionable woman wears once and then
discards forever. They are never seen
again; but they are utterly useless 70
the servants, aud TO bestOyv upon poor
relations the Worth OF Felix creations
of gauze and brOcade would be like
giving Dresden china to 8 man who has
nothing to eat Sometimes one is
tempted to believe that there is a kind
OF dress bureau to which these wonder
ful cOnfectiOns which fit before us for
a moment are translated without touch
of human hands How many a woman
would like to reveI in the glories Of
such a paradise.
But there is a more tangible solution
to the question Of what the fashionable
woman does with her gowns A secret,
sacredly concealed, sort of dress eZ-
change gives occupation to many gen
tlewOmen OF modest means, behind the
veil OF most profound gentility. The
most f1Ourishing1 exchange is so man
eyed that the prOprietOr's own husband
never dreams that his clever wife
clothes her daughters of the proceeds
of buying and selling other peoples
tised, for publicity would speedily kill
patronage. One woman whispers to
another of the wonderful bargains to be
found at Nine, B-'s, and one matrOn
suggests to another the advantage of
leaving her cast-Oh dnery IN this mar
ket- The woman proprietor is neces-
sar1Y one Of the elect, knowing and
known by a large circle of friends. Per
haps her husband lost his money,
vya-Ia0s his INCOME vvyf11 not lraevg the
daughters ia Paris gowns and pay the
caterer for balls and dinners. The
lady begins in a small way to act as
mediator between the woman who
would like to sell gown and some 9th
er friend whom she fancies will suit,
and all for u small present. But when
larger custom is secured she deals in
more important affairs A society
woman who goes TO many dinners and
balls finds at the close of the season a
large number Of valuable gowns on her
hands. Each has been worn but once,
or possibly twice, and can not be worn
again. She sends them by private mes
senger to the exchange, and they are
sold for whatever they will bring, gen
orally about One-half their value, the
seller receiving a commission on the
amount she manages to secure for the
gowns. Perhaps a lady gets a misft
gown that she can not wear. That,
too, goes quickly to the woman, who
perhaps knows some one it will suit,
and notifies her. A lady going into
mourning usually has many gowns, and
jewels as well, to be sold, all of which
bring a fair price.
Now as to the purchasers They, too,
are ladies either OF a different social
circle from those who sell from another
town, or, perhaps, OF small means, who
would never dream of buying gowns in
! a secondhand place, but can find Won
derfu1 bargains in these exchanges.
The woman who goes to many din
! ners in a season very often buys for one
hundred dollars a dinner gown costing
/ three hundred dollars, and made OF
7 most expensive and elegant material,
/ which can be remOdeled into every ap
pearance Of new gown. And women
! hangers on TO the rim of sOciety's bright
! circle are glad to avail themselves O1
! the gowns for which they could not pay
| first cost
/ One lady bought almost her entire
/ summer outfit at brOwn-stone house
/ in the fashionable district where a mar
/ in buttons opens the door and the ele
! gantly-dressed woman who receives heI
/ looks less like a shOpl1eePer than like {
| queen. Another point, occasionally the
woman who drives IN her carriage with
! servants in livery on the box, has les
hard cash to call her own than the mail
who combs her hair And such womaI
is very glad to sell the old bits of jewelrl
! that perhaps her husband has forgotten
/ that he gave her, or to raise a littl'
money on her diamonds for IA timc o
need Jewellers in good standing vii
not purchase a lady's jewels withou
/ asking too many uncomfortable ques
tions, consulting the husband, perhaps
or the father when her comfort an,
| safety depends on the greatest secrsc.
( in the transaction.
It is an interesting, and 20 the wiz
| an aggravating fact, that many men o
| wealth, while allowing their wive
/ every luxury Of life on account, Civ
| them very little spending money. /
/ woman in sables and diamonds must b
in rather desperate circumstances Z
step down from her carriage and ask Z
/ have ten dollars worth OF POstag
stamps charged. and then ask the cler
! to buy the stamps again, that she ma.
have the money Yet this has bee
EetuaIly d22e by the v-i1e u o2e OF tn