The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-22
HOW TO DRESS ON $40, 200 A YEAR
The Question Is Discussed Exhaustive
Iy by Mrs. Howard Gould.

The Question Is Discussed Exhaustive
Iy by Mrs. Howard Gould.
New York, June 22.-'How to
dress we'll on an allowance of 5000
year. may not look like a difficult
proposition to a woman who faces the
recurring problem of new fashions and
changed styles every spring and win
ter on an allowance running from
"just nothing at all'' to $50 to 500 a
month, and at the latter figure envied
by her less fortunate acquaintances.
But to a woman whose social posi-
ton requires she shall not follow but
lead the fashion and set the style it is
a constant exacting struggle, mental
and physical, to maintain the pace and
stay in the lead, even though her
pocketbook be inexhaustible and the
cost of a gown or a slipper be it's least
important feature.
Mrs Howard Gould, whose matri-
monial infelicity is the subject of an
absorbing and sensational trial in the
supreme court, was permitted to give
just hint on the witness stand a few
days ago of the enormous expense and
infinite variety of her wardrobe when,
a couple of years ago, she was riding
on the topmost wave of prosperity and
maintaining her position as the wife
of a man with an income of $1,000, 900
a year.
And when she was examined and
| cross examined concerning her man
ner of dress and its necessities and
cost, Mrs. Gould maintained that, far
from being extravagant, she had been
merely mildly fashionable
81 simply had" said Mrs. Gould.
| "what my wealth permitted and re-
! quired me to have, what it was proper
for me to have as the wife of Mr..
Howard Could
Her Idea of Fashionable Wardrobe.
To prove the justice of this conten-
ton Mrs. Gould has prepared state
ment of the items that go to make UP
a fashionable womans wardrobe,
with some side lights concerning the
: incidental expenses of living in con-
| formity with the requirements of her
social position. This statement is
| presented substantially as Mrs. Gould
| herself prepared it. -
| Starting out with her numerous
gowns, Mrs. Gould said good form
required that she have no less than a
dozen different kinds of dresses, to
say nothing of the requirements and
| changes of each kind. There must be
added hats to match every gown or
suit. and to fit all possible occasions,
| with corresponding wells, slippers for
| every change, and stockings to match,
to say nothing of the great array of
| gloves, shoes. lingerie, and under
wear of all descriptions.
| II often used three different pairs
! of gloves a day. said Mrs. Gould,
land would buy them four dozen at
a time. ranging in price from SO to
| So pair. This item alone, hardly
| thought of by one not accustomed to
| the requirements of good form In So
city, meant a heavy outlay, for after a
pair of gloves had been washed or
| cleaned it had no value for me.
She Couldn't Wear Them Every Day.
About a dozen morning gowns a
year would be my usual needs, costing
anywhere from $50 to 500 each and
can recall ordering twenty-five din
ner gowns in one year, though fifteen
or twenty would be my usual number
These, often deliberately ornamented
would cost from $3.50 to as high as
$500 each, and it must be remember
ed that Mrs. Howard Gould could not
afford to be seen wearing the same
dinner gown two or three nights in
| succession.
Fifteen to eighteen reception
gowns. costing from $3.50 to $3.50
each, and sometimes more, We're the
usual requirements of a season. Gar
den parties, afternoon teas, and such
receptions generally call for the fin
est and most expensive gowns a lad!
can wear without vulgar display. The
season over, they are also useless.
LAS for street gowns. at leaS
twenty-four of these would be neces
sary to carry one through the year
Such gowns cost from 500 to 500
each One cannot wear the same on,
in the evening or afternoon that on,
had worn in the morning.
Half a dozen house gowns. Away
! expensive and as high as $3.50 each, i
| fact, would hardly be enough to las
| one through season, nor would til
i same number of negligee gowns. wort
/ all the way from $50 to $175 each. &C
/ cording as they are lace covered O
II plain, be really enough for the season
II wear.
II Yachting Suits Come High.
HI Il have always had six or seven diff
| ferent tailored suits every season. cost
H ing from $50 to $50 EACH while abou
four riding habits would see m
/ through the year at an outlay of $50
II for four. Yachting suits come high be
| cause the individual embroidery o
1 them of names, club flags, and so OF
Il and as they are readily soiled or spot
Il ted when at sea at least twenty woul
be my usual complement on til
II Niagara, Mr. Gould's palatiaI yacht.
II "F>urs? 1t is impossible to place
III figure. A black caracul muff boa CO:
II me $225, a black caracul skirt $500. an
II a black otter boa S125. used all
IL these for automobiling, besides a $3'
II fur coat, a couple of fur suits, an
II regulation cloth or serge suits.
II These furs get shabby quickly an
one can't change them over except tt
II expensive furs. such as sables
II ermine. 1 had garments of every in
III aginable fur, coats of chinchilla, sabl
II caracul. baby lamb. sealskin, squire
II and Norwegian martin. with neckpiec'
II of sable. white fox. and black fox, ar
II hats to match them all.
III Then for every evening, or dinn'
II gown. one should have wrap
" match. never less than six of thes
and costing from $3.50 to $500 each"