The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-01


NEW YORK, Feb. 2S.-When Thos.
Carlyle, that old and deep thinker out
of Scotland, adverted in his Sartor
Resartus to the question of clothes he
presented to us through Herr Teufels
droch a great sermon on q common
question of life which enters into all
our concerns.
He spoke of the clothes that one
wears in the ordinary purposes OF
civilized life and adopted a more or
less indignant tone in his expressions
He probably covertly GOV cred a ques-
ton which is of more current impor-
lance to the average individual today
that could have been aptly expressed
through any other medium.
The proof of the pudding comes in
the eating, as it is presented in every
DAY lie at the present moment where
so much glorification of the individual
has to be carried out through the elab-
Grafton of clothes
1t VIII be surprising fact to many
that the fad for wearing expensive
clothes by women has developed such
range of luxury that their clothes
AFTER having been worn once are
handled by second hand dealers and
sold over again to those who want to
keep up an appearance.
The fact develops through a state
ment made by an auctioneer who
idIluleS, III lIllS center OIL the develop
ment of luxury, oil paintings, Carrara
marbles, bric-a-brac and expensive
things generally. Said this purveyor
OF whatever comes to his martS. To
day L sold fifty hats and bonnetS, the
stock of a fashionable milliner, and
several lots of second hand silk-lined
gowns and wraps, the creations OF
celebrated modistes. One dealer bid in
nearly the whole consignment. She'll
make good money and crafty many
clients by the operation"
A woman who decidedly has an
entree to society and who conducts
negotiations of this kind has on her
cards, transactions confidential" and
approaches only those people who can
be delicately reached by one who like
herself. is the cruX of trade and fash
ion.
OF course, it is understood that ex-
perlenced remodellerS and cleaners
can take these clothes that are trans
ferred in this way and remove all
blemiShes before the goods are put on
sale. In the Eastern states there are
at least in the big cities. half q dozen
notably successful second hand clothes
dealers. Their sources of supply are
apparently inexhaustible and the
values involved would surprise people
inclined to sniff at second-handed
transactions.
This is what one of these experts
Sdlu III reference TO the
A dress made of fine cloth or silk,
lined and trimmed with costly mate
rial, always has value. Also jewelry
that is slightly old-fashioned, opera
cloaks and furs partly worn. The
Smartly dressed woman now must
comply so strictly with the changing
style that the garments do not have
a chance to wear out, because they
must be discarded. Moreover, their
great cost and the cost of those that
must replace them makes their sale
Very welcome to the owners.
The clothes dealer has ingenious
ways for bringing her bargains to the
notice of customers. "a lady suddenly
called into mourning, having distinct
i've costumes made by first-class ar
fists will dispose of same at half value;
seen between 10 and 6, second floor
apartment, 210 Blank street." will be
advertised. No. 210 is in a good To-
Cality. The bereaVed lady must be
fashionable person, with things worth
seeing, the readers conclude. They go
to see and price. The lady in mourn
ing does not, of course, appear. But
the dealer displays the wares to ad-
vantage, and the costumes from the art
auctioneer's sale find buyers. Lady
going abroad for year will sell
and gowns, all bearing well known
makers trademarks" is another pri-
Vate sale announcement.
That's a Paris gown, worth $400.
The price now, $75," says the dealer as
the model turns about to display an
evening gown richly trimmed. The
customer knows good stuff. She knows
when a dress is built on good lines.
And though she may not swallow the
Paris fable, she realizes that when the
dealer has deducted $40 off the $75
she will still have a bargain. She rests
in the comfortable lounging chair to
consider, while an attendant makes
ready to show her other bargains.
The women who overhaul and size
up the wares are the sort who never
patronize the cheap shops, nor wear
would never take q gown or wrap hav-
ing q soiled lining or worn foot frill.
The bureau cares for these details be-
fore offering.
The dealer also knows the impor-
lance of a romantic history for her
wares. That's a Vanderfripp gown
straight from the family" she says, re-
garding the garment a young customer
examines. II know just how and when
it was ordered from Robinson, in Lon
don, last season. The hat made ex-
presSly to match it; those unique Or
naments for belt and stock bring it up
to S29, but it will wear Indefinitely and
never look commonplace"
The young woman, whose business
demands good dressing, buys the Van
derfripp belongings and turns to eX-
anime values in silk waists and skirts.
Put me down for that Kersey cloth