The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-12-15

poet 70 go out quito a niue. VIII you please give
me scme hints as to what wardrobe for a girl in
my position should containi l come from little
provincial New England town. and tins viii be ny
first experience in a large city. am twcnty-four.
neither rich poor. neither pretty nor ugly. Any
tltng that is really necessary afford but have
other uses for my money than buying clothes, and
have no ambition 10 be regarded as smartly dress
win you also tel M VI il is necessary for young
woman Of my age T., be always chRperoned- THIS
business Of a chaWTUn comes rather hard 20 one
who has handled Eer money for five years and
has been her mistress in every way. I realize
that it Is quite different here. where ] corr
paratire stranger. than IL is AZ home where every
one knows me and has known me since childhood.
but ! would like much freedom as Is consistent
with good form" Perhaps l ought 10 add that
am college graduate.
Answer-In reply to your first question.
III is really remarkable how few clothes
one can get along with in Washington and
yet look smart. The main point is that
your clothes should be well and stylishly
made, and that they should be properly
taken care of. To begin with you should
have handsome tailor-made street frock
in some dark shade. No one should affect
light shades who has not number of
changes. The hat TO match this suit may
be as plain or as ornate as your style
and taste suggest. but II must have good
lines and be harmonious in color White
gloves are no longer regarded as neces-
sary. and a light shade of pearl or tan
is more serviceable and quite as good
form. You should have a number of
white blouses to wear with this suit. the
French handmade ones are TO be pre-
ferred 10 any other. FurS which you,
doubtless. already possess. should COM
plete this costume which can be termed
dress OF general utility since 1t can be
worn to almost any day function, for call
ing, for luncheon, for teas. afternoon mu-
sicales and the like. although il is well
10 have for formal occasions a more
elaborate gown OF velvet. with lace trim
mings. But 10 save your general utility
dress you should have plain. tailor
made suit for shopping and rainy days.
For the evening your wardrobe should
contain-a black and white bah gown.
These can be made from any material
you may elect and there was never such
variety Of materials to choose from
but the most economical gowns are OF
lace made over silk OF satin. These frocks
made with two waists. high one and a
low one. will serve the purpose of four
gowns. for a dressy. high-necked waist
will convert the bail toilet into after
noon gowns, which can be worn when you
are asked to receive at teas. on your own
day at home. 10 small dinners and 10 the
theater, when a supper follows at some
cafe. If it is necessary for you to get
along with two evening dresses YOU can
easily do So but you should have as well
two or three dainty house dresses of
light silk or wool. made IN such a man
No. 1...t
fairs in the evening. 1 do not speak OF
the small things that should go into your
wardrobe, because every girl knows best
what she wants, and what she can afford
Of these. but you should have AZ least
three hats. two stout pairs of high walk
ing shoes. black and white dancing slip
pers. and abundance Of fresh gloves.
What I have jotted down for you is the
least you can get through a season with,
II you go out 10 any extent but IN buying
your things you should bear in mind that
you will be among q bvvy OF the richest
prettiest. and best dressed girls In the
world and not pare down your expenses
too savingly. A college education counts
for much. but IL has a powerful rival in
the fine feathers which make fine birds.
at fashionable functions
As TO a chaperon When in Rome"
you know, do as the Romans do" II
is better 10 remain on the safe side and
to keep the letter Of the law. II would
be inadvisable. for instance. 10 go alone
TO ball or in the society Of man. no
matter how old a friend he may be or
how much faith you have in him. not
because it is fundamentally wrong. but
because the custom is not acceptable
here, as il probably is In your own home.
but social rules are made TO meet the
demands Of the society for which they
exist and every one who desires 20 move
in that society must obey them without
protest. This matter OF chaperonage Is a
subject Of perennial discussion in Ameri-
ca, but the discussions have no purpose
and come to nothing. Time alone arranges
all OF these mooted questions II she is
needed the chaperOn viii continue % ex-
list; If she is rot needed she will die a
natural death.