Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-10-31
MRS. ROOSEVELT.
wAsHIEGT0E WOMEN APPLAUD
HER DRESS REFORM.
CABINET LADIES APPROVE.
Many Say That Three Hundred Dol
lars a Year Judiciously Expended
viii supply ANY Woman
With a Good and Fashion.
able Wardrobe.


$500 a year, IL wisely expended, /
sufficient to maintain a Fashionable
wardrobe. They warmly applaudet
the good sense shown by the first lad
of the land in setting an example o
simplicity and economy.
Friends of Mrs Roosevelt say th,
plan she has pursued in the past il
regard to evening gowns is worth re
cording. She has always said thaf
every gown she had was so selected
that it would wear with slight repair
ing for three seasons. In her cas-
evening gowns, always considered thI
most perishable part Of a woman
garb, possessed five years lease o
life.
These gowns were Of the rlchestant
heaviest silk, satin and grenadine ant
were simply designed. For thret
years they were remodeled and adorn
ed with the latest trimmings, or som,
of the priceless lace which Mrs. Roose
yelt has inherited from her materna
grandmother, who was an English
woman and a connoisseur of lace.
When they would no longer permit
Of remodeling this thrifty housewife
had them made into waists or dress
ing sacques. An assortment Of sill
waists is a large item these days, but
with Mrs. Roosevelt's plan it is possl
BILE for the woman Of small means Il
possess large number Of these pretty
adjuncts to complete a toilet.
PARTIAL TO BLACK AND WHITE.
Another feature to Mrs. Rooseyelt's
wardrobe was that she wore black and
white almost exclusively for evening
and street wear and only in house
gowns or deml-toile.s did she select
bright colors. No materials have a
longer life than black and white. They
clean without fading and, according
to Mrs. Roosevelt, are the most ele-
CANT in appearance.
Gowns of the same color can be COM
bined, and the mistress Of the White
House has often worn gown which
made a handsome appearance, bui
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.
ment is in keeping with their taste,
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-
ceeding 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-gown-
ed women in the Official set, but she
has not a 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 Sc
lects her gowns carefully, and israther
partial to French creations. Both la
dies believe that $500 is ample to pur-
chase an up-to-date outfit for a year,
Among the social leaders who in
dorse Mrs. Roosevelt's statement is
Mrs. William r. Merriam, wife Of the
director of the census, Mrs. Merriam
said to-day:
DRESS REFORM MUCH NEEDED.
"Dress reform is much needed in
fashionable society and to have the
movement inaugurated by the mis-.
tress Of the White House augurs well
for its success. Many women pay
$500 for a single evening gown and
5000 for walking costume. II is en-
couraging for those who cannot afford
such prices to know that woman who
has filled such a high position as that
of the Presidents S wife considered her
self we'll gowned on the modest sum OF
$500 a year"
Mrs. Philip Hichborn, wife of the
retired chief constructor Of the navy,
and the mother of the beautiful young
Mrs. James G. Blaine, said;
Good judgment in purchasing wear
ing apparel is as necessary as the
means to obtain it. My daughter was
considered well gowned, and many of
my friends believed that her wardrobe
was extravagant. She never spent
even as much as s3O0a year, but what
| bought was of the best. In select
ing evening gowns in silk, satin OF
soft wool durable material is pre-
ferable to gauz fabrics. They keep
their freshness and will last several
seasons if freshened with new ribbon
and lace.
"The same is true Of street gowns.
Some cloth fades and soils, Others will
look presentable while piece remains;
In regard TO hats, shoes and gloves, the
wise woman will get the finest quality
which comes from the manufacturers.
They give that undefnable air which
belongs to the true lady, The good
quality will look better and will
certainly outlast three Of an inferior