The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1901-10-29
PRAISE MRS. ROOSEVELT
Her Economy and Simplicity In
Dress Generally Applauded.
DRESSING ON $500 A YEAR

How "the First Indy of the Land"
Buys Her Gowus-Setccts the Bcst
Material So That Phcy VIII stand
Making over-Niews OF washing
ton society Women.
Washington society women are much
Interested ia Mrs. Booseveljs statement
that $500 d year. If wisely expended. is
sufficient % maintain fashionable
wardrobe, says the Washington cor
respondent OF the New York World.
They warmly applaud the good sense
shown 10y the first lady Of the land in
setting an example Of 81 rlicity and
economy.
Friends Of Mrs. Roosevelt say the
plan she has pursued in the past in re-
gard TO evening gowns is worth record
ing. She las always said that every
gown she had was selected SO that II
would wear with slight repairing for
three seasons. In her case evening
gowns. always considered the most per
ishable part of a woman's garb, pos.
sessed five years lease of life
These gowns were Of the richest and
heaviest silk, satin or grenadlne and
were simply designed. For three years
they were remodelcd and adorned with
the latest trimmings or some Of the
priceless lace which Mrs Roosevelt
has inherited from her maternal grand
mother, who was an English woman
and counoisseur of lace
When they would no longer permit of
remodeling this thrifty housewife had
them made into waists or dressing
sacks. An assortment of silk waists
is a large item these days, but with
Mrs. Rooscvelts plan it is possible for
the woman Of small means to possess a
large number of these pretty adjuucts
TO complete toilet.
Another feature Of Mrs. Roosevelts
wardrobe was that she wore black and
white almost exclusively for evening
and street wear, and only in house
gowns or domtolets did she select
bright colors. No materials have lou
ger life than black aud white. They
clean without fading aud, according to
Mrs. Roosevelt, are the most elegant in
| appearance
Gowns Of the same color can be COM
bined. and the mistress of the White
House has often worn a gown which
made a handsome appearance. but
which was made Of three other gowns.
The ladies who compose the cabinet
set are noted for their simplicity in
! dress, and Mrs. Roosevelt's announce
mont is in keeping with their tastes.
| The late Mrs. Gage was always well
| gowned, but she purchased only two
| evening dresses for the official season
and would have the gowns of the pre-
cedng season remodeled each winter
Mrs Hay, wife Of the secretary Of
state, although a woman of large for
| tune dresses simply.
! Mrs. Root. whose husband has a
! large income, Is one of the best gowned
women in the official set. but she has
not great variety of changes. Her
toilets are rich and becoming; but, like
the other cabinet ladies', she does not
fear being seen several times in the
same gown. Miss Wilson selects her
gowns carefully and is rather partial
to French creations. Both ladies be-
lieve that $500 is ample 10 purchase an
up 70 date outfit for year.
| Among the social leaders who in
dorse Mrs. Roosevelts statement is
Mrs. William II. Merriam, wife of the
director of the census. Mrs. Merriam
said:
Dress reform Is much needed in
fashionable society, and TO have the
movement naugurated by the mistress
of the White House augurs well for its
success. Many women pay $500 for n
single evening gown and $500 for n
walking costume. 1t is encouraging
for those who cannot afford such prices
! to know that woman who has filed
such high position as that of the pres
ident's wife considered herself well
gowned on the modest sum Of $500 a
1 year"