The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-04-26
SHARPNESS OF
AMERICAN FASHIONS.

you have no idea" said to the New
York Tribune, a woman who has re-
Gently returned to America after
prolonged residence abroad, how much
an absentee is impressed, by the great
changes which have been effected in
New York during the last two de-
cades. They are really surprising, and
in every direction, too, in small things
as well as great things. AS a wom-
an, the vast improvement in our shops
has especially appealed to me. 1t is
really wonderful what a difference
there is between the then and the now.
l must say however. that, although
one cannot help feeling proud as
good American of the improvement
that is shown in the public taste, and
the facilities that make its qualification
possible as an idividual, however, 1t
is rather annoying to find that ones
prestige as a Partisan gowned wom-
an fresh from 'Paree' is entirely gone.
Formerly any one coming direct from
the other side felt certain superiori-
ty in the consciousness that her at
tire would be noticed and admired as
having the latest French chic, but now
l find that that distinction has entirely
disappeared. My gowns that were
made in Paris do not look any more
up to date than the corrections that
are turned out from the New York
ateliers And the first thing / noticed in
the window of a Twenty-third street
shop were some dainty accessories for
the toilet which were the haute nou-
veaute when / was leaving, and which
l brought over with me as gifts to
some of my friends. 1t is like carry
ing Goals to Newcastle to bring over
French novelties to ones acquaintance
in New York nowadays.
This improvement, which is very
marked is not confined to the more
expensive establishments. 1t is univer-
sal Good taste. combined with cor
rectness of cut and finish, has removed
the stigma which used to be attach
ed to the name of ready made gar
ments; so that the woman who likes
to wear pretty clothes, but has neither
the leisuretnor the money to employ
good dressmaker, can now be well
dressed with comparatively little eff
fort or outlay. A society girl who is
considered we'll dressed, but who must
perforce duty the situation. and has
the good sense and discretion to keep
her discoveries to herself. says that
the difference which used to be so
marked between what are called cheap
establishments and those frequented
NY the upper ten mas ICSOlNGu IlSCi
simply into a question of cost and that
just as good things may be bought for
less than half the money if you are
enterprlsing.
But you must never tell what you
paid for your hats or your waists
That would cheaper them in the eyes
of your world at once" she said. "If
a thing does not cost a lot of money,
they consider it is not worth having.
The other day l was at Mrs Tiptops
and Mrs. Smart came in. L saw the
lOveliest waists at IS, she said, in the
course of conversation. All embroid-
cry and drawn work, just what 1 want
ed. l thought they would probably
be about $50 apiece, and went in to buy
one, and what do you think they were?
Only IS! I was so disgusted.' And
didn't you get one?' 1 asked her, MAX
a mental note of the shop she men,
toned, for l knew she was a very
good judge of such matters, and any
work admired by her must be really
good. OF course not she answered.
I would not feel that 1 was decently
dressed in a waist that cost only S.
1.-The price of hats this year and all
other accessories at the most exclu-
sive establishments has advanced
alarmingly for those whose dress al
lowance will not permit them to keep
up the pace with their more fortunate
sisters"