The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-15

From the Providence Journal
 When Mrs Roosevelt declared that a woman could dress on $500 d year she awoke a storm of protest, some contend ing that it was an extravagant allowance, while others maintained with laugh and i, a shrug, that it was but the price Of gown.
 Recently the question was asked in oue of the leading women's magazines, Can a woman dress on $l00 year?' and the consensus of opinion was to the effect that the feat was impossible.
 As matter of fact half the women in the country dress on half that sum, and the average housenlother, the young girl in shop or factory, is usually neatly ana comfortably clothed.
 But the woman of social affiliations, the woman whose position in the business world compels her to be always well and fashionably clothed, immaculate as 10 shirtwaists, well shod and with gloves, like Caesars wife, above reproach, can spend almost any amount upon her ward robe Descriptions of trousseaux, pre- pared for recent brides, prove this be- yond doubt.
 A Parisan mondaine maintains that S3O,- GOO a year is the lowest limit on which a fashionable woman can make a show ing.
 The lingerie alone in such a wardrobe is no inconsiderable item as 1t must De trimmed with real lace. while the corsets costs from $2oO to $250 apiece. Silk stock ings shoes, gloves and all the various accessories which go to make up the smart womans wardrobe, cost no incon- siderable sum.
 Then there are the gowns, which may cost anywhere from several hundred to several thousand apiece the hats, which are one of the most costly single items of d fashionable woman's wardrobe, the furs the jewels, the laces and all the necessary addenda, which easily bring tfe expenditure up to extravagant figures.
 To the woman of moderate means 1t is matter of no small moment to appear well dressed at all times and on all oc- casions Much time and thought must be given to the matter to achieve distinction. While undue attention to dress may oe deprecated as indicative of shallow nature, lack or normal interest Tn pretty clothes and indifference to ones personal appearance may also be trans lated unfavorably.
 A dainty and becoming gown will go far toward restoring one's cheerful outlook on life and it may be considered wo- mans duty to make herself as attractive as possible not only for the satisfaction to self but the pleasure afforded others The greater tie harmony of nature she possesses the more exquisitely tastetui will be the gownins but it is often an elegance wil.cl requires well-flled purse.
 The woman of moderate means should study her own style and individuality and she should observe certain principles in the choice and care of her clothes. She should not wear garments whose cost is out of all proportion to her ln-
 xl-ss tlx aG n buy is an excellent maxim preserving due proportion She should choose standard weaves of cloth for her gowns as those will not go out of style, and becoming colors and she should be able to sew and do all manner of fine needlework to say nothing of mendng. Trimmings, buttons, hooks and eyes should all be saved as they may be used again and again.
 definite yearly sum should be set apart for her wardrobe if possible, about To per cent of an income of 5000 being considered fair allowance1for family of five per- sons On such an allowance a woman would spend not $50 on her own wardrobe and to do this so as to be well and ap- propriately dressed requires both inteui- gence and culture.
 First in importance is the tailor r-made suit, which answers for the street, for travelling and, with the addition of an elaborate waist, for ordinary dress occa- sions in the afternoon For the wage earning woman who wishes to make as good an appearance as possible on a small outlay the tailor suit is a necessity This, with number of bouses, forms the back bone of the business womans wardrobe Next in importance should come the house gown, as the street dress should never be worn in the house. It is a mistake, how ever, to think that "any old gown" will do to wear at home. She isc wise wo- man who. be the income ever so small. is possessed of the prettiest tints in house gowns. if they be only cotton, for wo-