Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-03-09
BURN THEIR DRESSES
RICH WOMEN THROW OFF
GOWNS INTO THE FURNACE.
Thousands Of Dollars Worth of Fash
ionable Apparel Is Thus De-
stroyed Before 1t Is Half
Worn Out.

Cleveland Moffett, in the first OF
series of articles on THE Shameful Mis-
use of Wealth" In Success Magazine fol
February, has this to say regarding the
costly gowns worn by the rich women
of Newport:
This brings me to an interesting talk
that | had with man at the head OF
one of the largest oressmaking estab-
lishments in the world, with branches
in London. Paris, New York and, nat
urally, Newport We were standing
near the Casino at the fashionable hour.
1t was the height of the season, and
beautifully gowned women were arriV-
ing every moment for the music and
tennis. There they we're before us in
gay and conspicuous groups, the much
talked of and enyied society leaders,
dressed to be looked at and admired.
And admiring, as befitted, we proceeded
to discuss them, my companion speaking
with the authority of creator and dis
Ienser of styles.
Taken collectively" he said, they
are the smartest gowned women in the
world"
But not individuality" Lasked.
Individually they sometimes lack
distinction and the note OF personal
taste. They dress too much alike"
That's your affair, isn't it," sug-
gested
WELL" he said, eve do the best we
can. OF course, what you lack in this
country Is a court, with court functions,
court dinners and court balls. You
never find the best dressed women in
republic"
| pondered this awhile, and then, be-
coming practical, asked what it costs
one of these ladies whose duty 1t is to
shine in Newport for her gowns.
Ten thousand dollars year" he
answered, promptly. I'VE have clients
who spend twelve thousand year, but
ten is enough. We have many who
spend seven thousand year. If a wom-
an spends only five thousand year we
do not take her very seriously"
you mean five thousand for gowns
alone?"
"Of course" And l was left to mag
inc what might be the ladies' bill for
hats, boots, lingerie, ETC., not to forget
the sinuous automobile wells that were
Auttering all about us.
How many new gowns does a smart
woman need for the Newport season."
inquired.
He thought a moment. Counting
everything, about twenty"
"And how much will they cost
apiece?"
That depends on the number Of hand
some ones. You can't get a really first
class gown from us for less than FIVE
hundred dollars"
| protested that l had heard of first
class gowns for less than that, but he
shook his head.
I'VE sell gowns for two hundred and
fifty dollars and make more profit on
them than on those that cost five hum
bred, but no ambitious society woman
would think of appearing, say at an i'm
portant dinner, in two hundred and
fifty dollar gown. 1t would injure her
prestige"
Then he gave me some interesting |
details in the making of five hundred |
dollar gown. 1t appears that a single |
yard of the trimming used for such
gown may take five or six skillful girls
french or Swiss) an entire week in |
the making. The pattern, say leaves or
flowers, must first be embroidered in |
silk with the finest stitches. Then it |
must be gone over again in tiny trans
parent beads of different colors, perhaps
in rhinestones, and finally the veins and
stems of the leaves must be added one
1y one in colored threads. All this for
/ yard Of trimmingl
How often would the lady wear such
/ gown" l asked.
Five or six times"
And then what becomes of it?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "She
gives 1t away or sells it, There is one I
very rich woman who has all her old
gowns burned. She can't bear the idea
hat any one else should wear them"