The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-15
BARGAINS IN RICH HOMES.
wealthy Women Have Taken to
Selling old clothes.
From the New York Press.

From the New York Press.
In the world of fashion, where the re-
quirements for gowns are so imperative,
each season brings new lot, not one or
two gowns, but dozens, some from Paris
and London and others from our own
modistes The accumulation Of dresses at
the end of the season is, therefore, most
appalling, for few of one years gowns
are utilized for another season. In spite
of her love for dress, the American wo-
man has a practical side to her nature,
and when the necessity for economizing
is realized she does not give up her
gowns. her wraps or her millinery, but
she creates a market, so to speak, for her
cast-offs-the dresses which she would
not humble her pride by wearing sec
ond season. When a woman bears the
reputation of being the best dressed Of
her set, she knows that the style of her
last seasons wardrobe was in advance,
and she realizes that many persons would
be willing to profit by her experience and
taste and, avail themselves of an oppor-
tunity to copy.
A sale is announced, not by written in
vitation, but by word of mouth, and 1t Is
passed from intimate friends of the wo-
man to friends friends and so on to others
who may be able to catch the word as it
floats by them On the day specified for
the sale the friends, upon arrival at the
house, are shown TO the second floor,
where they are received by a woman in
charge, who may be a maid of the house
or a confidante of the seller. Arranged
about the rooms on chairs are costumes
which have created envy in the breasts
of many a woman al the opera. the horse
show, Patriarchs' ball or at state dinners
oil
fabric and creation. On tables areabon-
nets, hats, capotes, fancy muffs and
neckwear, and hanging about the room
are coats, capes, wraps and cloaks None
Of these does my lady intend to wear an
other season.
The person in charge will give n visitor
the price OF each garment, which is usual
ly about one-third the cost price, but Of
ten the intending buyer considers 1t nee
essary to haggle In order to get the COW
eted garments for the least possible price.
The maid will leave one with the article
in hand and disappear for a few mo-
ments, while in a back room she consults
with some interested person the advisa-
bility of letting things go for less than
the marked price. When she emerges
from the consulting chamber you will see
by her face that the game Is not wort h
the candle and the things must be so1l,
and the buyer gets, for instance, for one
quarter its original cost, an Imported man.
tie of great beauty and exclusive style
about as good as new. Buyers al sales
OF this kind are not numerous, but many
persons avail themselves Of this oppor-
tunity to get into a house more from curl
osity than from a desire to buy clothes.
Sales OF this character are rare, but
when family is plunged into deep mourn
ing, just after having a gorgeous ward
robe created for the seasons campaign
IN the ultra-fashionable world, sales arc
not uncommon, and these are not RESTRICT
ed to friends. for they do not always
take place in the residences Of the mouru-
ers The Occasions" as they say in
Paris. which may be secured at, these
special sales put TO shame any bargain
counter attraction, no matter what it's
possibility
such sales have been authorized by
some Of the citys richest and best fam
/ flies. Mrs. George y. Mcclellan was
/ among the first to profit by this practical
! idea. Her example has been followed by
/ tho Edward Kellys. the Astors, the Bel
monts. the Turnures and others Of high
social standing.
IL Is said that a well-dressed woman Il
a seif-respocting woman. and the good
clothes inspire confidence. That this Is
true is shown by an everyday occurrence