The San Francisco call., 1909-03-28
By Fred P. Johnson

wy HAT does It cost the San
Francisco man to be we'll
Wv dressed and what should his
wardrobe contain to be com
plete and enable him TO go forth at diff
ferent periods Of the day attired as
gentleman should be?
It all depends. No two men about
town VIII give you the same answer to
the question. Habits Of life and the
size OF pocketbools are as varying as
sartorial taste. And these differences
are reflected IN the garb Of man
II the query were answered from the
viewpoint OF a thousand tastily appar-
eled society and business men OF the
city the conclusion Of the whole matter
would be: The San Franciscan can
dress, year IN and year out, Just little
cheaper than the man Of the eastern
city The part OF the question relating
20 wardrobe essentials IS another story.
The connection between CaIifornia's
Enatehless climate and clothes economy
may not be universally apparent, even
20 the men who are saving money
through the relationship. But It is
easy enough TO observe that while the
eastern Beau Brummel IS spending no
end OF time and money with his tailor
IN the effort TO keep step with the
seasons and maintain q modicum OF
comfort. the San Franciscan is uncon-
cernedly wearing his last summers
suit down town on rainy days, or dom
ming q winter suit during the cool
periods OF the summer. The practice
is not parsimonious or regular, but
there is enough OF It TO affect the trade
OF the clothier and tailor. The San
Franciscan has suits aplenty for all
seasons. but he also has an inter-
chGngeable system by which he makes
them render full service.
The cost and variety OF local mans
wardrobe are likewise lessened bv alb
sence OF the custom OF dressing for all
hours. The society and club man of
the larger eastern cities is occupied a
large part OF the day IN thinking about
his clothes and IN changing them. A
brief period in morning attire is fol-
lowed by change TO afternoon cos
tune, then to riding or motoring garb,
and finally comes the transition to
evening dress Dressing regularly ev-
cry night IN the week for dinner the
theater or the drawing room is a cus-
tom that is more rigidly followed on
the other aide OF the continent than on
this western shore. The San Francis
can makes steady use OF evening
clothes. and he nnds that the occasions
Tor their use are frequent, but he IS
not their slave. Neither IS he bothered
over the matter OF afternoon dress
The sack suit stands him well in hand
FOR the daylight hours. The cutaway
and frock coats are 10 be found in ths
wardrobes OF the local Berry Wall. but
their use and renewal DO not cause a
heavy drain on his purse.
Although he finds saving IN thess
articles Of dress he spends just as
much as his eastern brother for gar
rnents suitable for outing. riding, hunt
ing and motoring. These and the ordi-
nary ESSENTIALS OF dress he insists on
having IN wide variety. The clothes
that he does wear. are up TO the min
ute IN cut, and you would be surprised
10 know the number and cost OF the
multitudinous garments in the closet
OF the local man who pretends to be
well dressed So the matter OF climate
does not make such great difference
after all, when Il comes to paying the
tailor's bill. other considerations help
20 offset the advantages OF almost uni
form weather. One OF these IS the
present condition OF rebuilding San
Francisco. Wind and dust are not re-
sDecfers OF persons or of clothes, and
the suits Of spring and summer 1909
VIII wear out quicker than those OF
former days.
Where You buy your clothes is an
other cost consideration II makes a
difference whether you get them in