The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-14
A POPULAR FALLACY.
London Fashions and Where They
Originate.
Th' Notion TINT RsJ ley Sets tho stylos
In re . Ia tho English Cap Ia Sad
to he L roncous-Pr noo Al
bert's Tailors.

Within tho narrow limits OF the West
end arc set tho fashions for nearly all
the rest Of tho world, saws q London
correspondent OF tho Clothior and
Furnishcr. 1t is not tho Prince OF
Wales who does it, other, with nil duo
respect to tho multitude OF writer's who
industriously propagate tho fallacy that
Albert Edward. tho great, il n strt OF
walking fashion-plato for tho universe.
No people more riGiculo this IDEA than
tho very furnishcrs who servo tho Jolly
Prince and his manly sons. Ills Royal
llighncss gives less tirlc to the contcm-
plation of his wardrobe than two-tbirls
OF tho most ordinary drcsscrs in London.
lie merely possesses tho best Of tasto
and studiously rcfrains from patronizing
q fashion that is not we'll grounded bo-
fore it reaches him. When tho Prince
Of Wales requires On article OF dress his
measure. il on hand, 10 s. mt to tho tailor
or other happy mortal destined for tho
honor, and tho article demanded Is made
and then submitted for alterations in
person. Tho tradesman called to Marl-
borough house to undergo the trying or
deal OF taking n royal order gets from
threo to five minutes audience only.
and must be rs expeditions and careful
in his measurements as to be absolutely
exact in tho result, without which his
services arc not likely to be asked for
second tirlo. The Prince docs not pro-
tend to know what will bo worn in ad-
vance, but makes his selections OF cloth
ing from existing fabrics and fashions as
submitted and advised by personal as
sociates and his tailor. If royalty can
be made to put on u "startlcr" OF any
description for tho purpose of astonish-
ing tho natives, it is probable in tho
person OF Prince Albert Victor. tho now
lv flcdgcd Duke OF Clarence. who Ia so
obliging in disposition that his august
parent has had in past years to mako
Eoman holiday Of several furnishcr9
who have started styles on Eddie" Of
q hiehly Sc irrational character.
Tho Dul,o OF Fife, accompanied by his
royal l,ri lc, makes no bones OF going TO
his tailor or furnishcrs on foot Of an
afternoon; and is 4 good customer though
n modest dresser. i he Dukes tailor, re-
comfy interviewed, says thct no has
about y dozen suits in constant use,
never wearing the samo suit twice in
any ono week. His trousers arc kept on
shelves, each marked with the day OF
tho week. and arc the constant caro-
Of his valet. i, the Eukc will not brook
crcascs. AS an example OF what tho
complete wardrobe of man of rank,
wealth ard fashion consists OF on tho
average : Duke Of Fifv's outfit for tho
present summer may DO taken. IT, con-
tains three light and one dark tweed
6uit, ono blue flannel. ono black serge,
ono melton cutaway, ono pcppcr-and-
salt cutaway. two trocls coats and two
fuii-drcss suits, besides special garments
for travelling. riding, hunting, shooting
and dccr-stnlliing, "a we'll az half
dozen uniforms. The Prince OF Wales
wardrobe contains over thirty OF tho
latter alono.
Tho great ambition OF ell London
tradcsmcn is. or course, royal patronage,
and to this end favor is very widely
distributed. as tho wardrobes Of tho
royal Princes arc recruited from count
less sources, the oquorrics and Wallets OF
the household being tho principal pur-
chcscrs and suGGcstcrs 10 their masters
OF scasonablo novelties. Tho coveted
warrant. which conveys tho right to put
the royal or other arms over tho mcr-
chants door, is not to DO obtained I'M
less some actual service has been donc
and certain standing of years is pos
scsscd by the firm; but they arc not un-
common, IS tho profuscly gildcd en-
blazonmcnt over every third shop-front
In the West end will attest.
q GHOSTS PiOTOGRApH