The sun., 1891-05-17
A WoMAN,s DRESS ExCHANGE
when che 400 Sell Their Costumes snd
when the 100000 Buy.

when the A0O,0O Buy.
It Is pretty generally understood that whom
man OF fashion has tired OF his slightly worn
clothing no dlsposes Of It with reckless gener-
osty to his valet or butler. or to any needy
friend or relative who will take It out OF his
way. But what becomes OF tho gowns the fash
ionable woman wears once and then discards
forever. They are never seen again; but they
are utterly useless to the servants, and to be-
stow upon Door relations the Worth or Felix
creations OF gauze and brooade would bo like
giving Dresden china to man who has moth
ing to eat Sometimes ono Is tempted to be-
lieve that there is q kind OF dress bureau to
which these wonderful CONNECTIONS which nit
before us for moment are translated without
touch OF human hends. How many woman
would like to revel in the glortes OF such
paradise.
But there Is moro tangible solution to the
question OF what the fashionable woman docs
with her gowns. A secret, sacredly concealed.
sort Of dress exchange gives occupation to
many gentlewomen Of modest means. behind
the veil Of most profound gentility. Tho most
flourishine exchange is 80 managed that the
proprietor's own husband never dreams that his
clever wife clothes her daughters OF the pro-
cseds OF buying and selling other peoples
gowns. These places are never advertised. Tor
publicity would speedily kill patronage One
woman whispers to another Of the wonderful
bargains to be found at Nine. BIS, and one
matron suggests to another the advantage OF
leaving her cast-oG Anery In this market The
woman proprietor Is necessarily one OF the
ss osps and n0En St Hxs ass S
daughters In Paris gowns and pay the caterer
way to act as mediator between the woman
who would like to sell gown ana some @ { 9f9Sr 3e
a small present But when larger custom Is
secured she deals in more important Affairs
9isy n % h
Each has been worn but once. or possibly
them by private messenger to the exchange
and they are sold Er they will bring
ceivins q commission, on the amount she
manages to secure for the gowns. Perhaps a
%s hs e shs ss
nsthSpS nnstiss hsr ao"s 'H lady going into mourning
to te'ts be solo, t ali Of Which bring falr price.
10 the They ySrts tNo srs
those who sell, from, mother town. or. perhaps,
Of small means. who would never dream OF
nRs
The woman who goes to many dinners in
season very often buys for 500 dinner gown
elegant material, which can be remodelled into
every appearance Of q new gown: And women
sad 70 40 Of for
which they. could not pay first cost
One lady has this season bought almost her
in the fashionable district where a man in but;
tons opens the door and the elegantly dressed
casionaliy the woman who drives In her car
less less hard ard cash to coli her own than the maid
waS very es% saa q ns sell shs old 81
nor or to d
monds for time OF need. Jewellers in good
standing win not purchase . lady,s Jewels
tions. consulting the husband. perhaps. or the
father when her comfort and safety depends on
'nS sssiss IA and s3s sse
yating fact, that many men n OF wealth, M while al
lowing their wives syeTX .xurs q lie on sS-
4 woman in sables and diamonds must be In
rather desperate circumstances to step down
worth Wort ne, o, pc postage stamps charged. and then
she have the S shs fSs Bssn
may be readily seen how the dress exchange is
patronzed by women whose husbands would
Be furious II they knew OF this little resort Tor
And on the other hand. woman obli~ed to
have friend who is this kind OF q dress
broker can secure q Paris gown which has
Went Went into crepe after the season outfit was So
dress brokers' ,caeinet, is wonderful com:
never worn. at the Queens drawing room.
There is no more resemblance between these
store than between q Bowery PAWN brokers' and
q Broadway bank. and the ladies' who patron
i've them would scorn to sell their tinery at q
1t ut the same place.