Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-08
THE DAILY CHIT-CHAT.
You can't buy
there!
Where?
By Ruth Cameron.

Despite the cry Of hard times which We
are hearing on every side, dressmaker
declared the other day that never in all
her life had she SO much work as this
season. When asked why that was she
answered.: st think 1t is because people
have to have SO many gowns nowadays.
They want something different for every
separate occasion"
Then she went on to explain that the
time had passed when a woman of mod
crate means in possession Of two or
three inexpensive house gowns. an after
noon dress, q tailored suit and an even
ing gown had reason to think that her
wardrobe was competent for every occa-
sion. This is the age Of differentiation in
clothes. Every year fashion narrows
down the number Of functions at which
any particular gown can be worn. For
instance, few years ago young Wom-
an in moderate circumstances was salts
fed IL she had a stylish and attractive
evening gown, and considered herself pre-
pared for any evening function. Today
she must have at least two-one reception
gown with a long train, and one shorter
dress for a dancing frock.
Again, the middle class woman's after
noon gown of a few years ago did service
for home wear. for any afternoon func-
ton, for church and for the less dressy
evening function. Today this dress has
been subdivided into at least two frocks.
One is called a house gown and is sup
posed to be worn at home or to very in
formal gatherings; the other is much
more elaborate affair and is worn to teas,
afternoon receptions, concerts, bridges,
etc.
Mind you, clothes differentiation such
as this Is not simply for the wealthy.
If were to try to chronicle the occa-
sions for which the real society woman
must have separate gowns I should use
the rest Of this column. But the frocks
have mentioned must be in the ward
robe OF the distinctly middle class wom-
an If she wants to be properly dressed at
the functions which middle class society
offers to her.
Do you remember your mothers best
dress Of twenty years ago? Do you re-
which 1t did duty-the church supper, the
high school graduation, the afternoon
tea, the ladies' aid social, the concert.
the formal call. the woman's club meet
ing? Again could fill this column If 1
were to chronicle the occasions for which
that gown was considered perfectly
proper.
Compare that with today. and then
prophesy what we shall have twenty
years from today-if you dare.
While am on this subject I can't for
bear to pass on to you method which
the dreSsmaker whom quoted above has
invented to eliminate one extra gown
It may help some young woman who
wishes to keep up with the times but
finds herself GREATNESS. or rather pen
niless, in her efforts to do SO. This dress
maker made a combination dancing frock
and reception gown for one Of her Gus
toners in the followinw way: She made
| a dancing frock with a tunic effect, which
Is so popular. and hanging about four
| inches from the floor. Under the tunic
| where 1t wouldn't show, she put a broad
tuck, and she also fashioned train
| which was to fall from the waist. When
she lets down the tuck and sews on the
| train, and behold, q reception gown!
| Perhaps by telling you this am help
ing on the cause of this outrageous
clothes differentiation, but I guess I am
willing to risk It.