The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-27
SOCIETY GIRLS COST.
Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher on
Expenses of Dress.
FORTUNES IN TRAILING SKIRTS.

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much must lady
spend for dress to
secure an entrance
into good society" The question seemed
SNitS dNtSu oh
the supposition that any good, sensible
and modest lady, if neatly dressed, was
entitled to all the privileges of good
society, even if not stylishly dressed.
But an earnest question is entitled to
some attention, and we therefore prom
ised to give such information as we could
obtain from friends in various positions
and of infinite variety of taste.
But among large number so far, we
have found no two agree, and | doubt if
there are many questions that it would
be so ditfiult TO answer definitely. One lady,
who We thought would give satisfactory
answer-not for the millionaire's wife and
daughter-but for people in what is
termed prosperous circumstances-replied
without a moments hesitation: Five
hundred dollars year is an ample allow
ance; but not an extravaganza one"
Another lady whose husbands income
was probably about the same as the first,
when asked if $500 was not an ample al
lowance for dress for ladies in position
similar to her own, exclaimed: "Oh! no,
indeed! No lady moving in genteel or
moderately fashionable society could pos
sibly maintain her position creditably
with less than $1,000 year, and it would
take an excellent manager who could do
SO with even that sum-"
Another lady assured us she could keep
herself presentable in the best society for
$3.50 year. Another assured us she never
spent over $500; and we think We know
some who are welcomed in the choicest
society who would be thankful for half
that sum for their own use every year.
Not long after we were at an elegant
party, given IN honor of distinguished
person. There were many deliberately and
very extensively dressed ladies present,
and, of course, every variety of costume.
But for a time our chief solicitude
was to avoid ENHANCEMENT and over
throw by the numberless trains"
that so preoccupied the floor as to
make locomotion somewhat dangerous.
When at last we were at liberty to
stand safely in a corner, gentleman with
US quietly remarked: "If part of the cost
ly silks and velvets that are sweeping the
floor had been used to cover the unpro-
tected neck and shoulders, aside from be-
ing more sensible, it certainly would have
saved some severe shocks to old-fashioned
modesty."
But having escaped the trains" with
out an ignominious fall in our safe re-
treat, while watching the guests around
us, we recalled the question as to the ex-
pense of dressing suitably for good socie-
ty, and thought it good opportunity to
make some estimate of the cost of such
dresses as were before US.
We found it hopeless, however, although
we perceived that those most simply
dressed were as cordially received as those
in magnificent costume, and concluded
every woman must be law unto herself
in the matter. Each should know what
she can spend without injustice to others
or injury to her father or husband. If
tempted TO go beyond this enc may be
sure her pleasure will be short-liyed and
find she has