Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-27
BURN DRESSES.
Rich Women Who Would Rather Do This Than
 Let Others Have Them

Cleveland MOffett. in the first of a series of articles on ''The Shameful Misuse of Wealth" in Success maga- zine for February, has this 10 say re- garding the costly gowns worn by the rich women of Newport: This brings me to an interesting talk tBat l had with man at the head of one of the largest dressmaking estab. lishments in the world, with branches in London, Paris, New York. and, nat | urally, Newport. We were standinA l near the Casino at the fashionable and beautifully gowned women were arriving every moment for the music and tennis. There they were before Us in gay and conspicuous groups, the much talked of and envied society lead CTS. dressed 10 he looked at and ad- mired. And admiring, as befitted we proceeded to discuss them, my com. panion speaking with the authority of creator and dispenser of styles.
 'Taken collectively, he said. they arc the smartest gowl-i women in the world"
 But not Individuality" l asked.
 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. i've do the best we can. Of course, what you lack ill this I country is n court, with court func- tions. dinners and court balls. You never find the best dressed women in a republic"
 pondered this awhile. and then. be. coming practical, asked what it costs one of these ladies whose duty it is to shine in Newport for fer gowns. Ten thousand dollars a year." he | answered promptly. We have clients who spend twelve thousand q year, but ten is enough. We have many who spend seven thousand year. If d woman spends only five thousand a year We do not S.e her very serious. ly."
 You mean five thousand for gowns 1 alone:'
 i 'Of course.' And l was left to i'm. asiIe what might be the ladies' bill for hats. boots, lingerie, etc. not to for. get the sinuous automobile ycils that were fiuttering all about Us. How many new gowns does smart woman need for the Newport season:'' I inquired.
 He thought q moment Counting everything. about twenty"
 And how much will they cost 1 apiecc:''
 That depends on the number of handsome ones. You cant get really first-class gown from Us. for less than $500"
 | I protested that had heard of first class gowns for less than that. but he shook his head.
 We sell gowns for S2J0 and make r.orc profit on them than on those that cost SJo0. but 10 ambitious society woman would think of appearing say at an important dinner. in S22lg gown. II would iniurc her prestigr.'' Then he gave me some interesting details in the making Of a S-ssI gown. It appears that single yard or tn. trimming used for such a gown may take five or six skillful girls iFrencl or SwissJ an entire week in the making. The pattern. say leaves or flowers. must first l,e embroidered in silk witt, the finest stitches. Then it must be gone over again in tiny transparent beads of different c0lors. perhaps in rhinestoncS. and finally the veins and stems of the leaVes must be added one bv one in cOlOTei threads All this for q yard of trimming.
 How often would the lady wear such a gownE l asked 1 Five or six times l And then what becomes of it:- He shrugged his shoulders. she gives fl away oT sells it. There is one very rich woman who has all fer oI.' ! gowns burns-L She can't bear the ids.. Sks-s :< rene else should wear them