The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-04-08

3. lsHE
..G.HlIE
CHiIilAT
10Th cAMERoN

T. u i H . ~ e.
Despite the cry Of hard times Which
We are bearingson every side, dress
maker declared the other day thai
never m all herylife had she had SC
much Work as this season. When ask
ed WHY, that was, she answered
Il think III is because people have 20
have so many gowns nowadays. They
want something different for every
separate occasion
Then she &ehtRon to explain that
the time had passed When woman Of
moderate means in possession Of two
OF three Inexpensive house gowns, an
afternoon dress, a tailored suit and an.
evening gown had reason to think
that her wardrobe was competent for
every occasion, This is the age Of
differentiation In clothes. Every
wear fashion narrows down the mum;
Der OF f1netionsSat which any particu-
lar sownscan bsfworn. For instance,
few Years ag6ia young woman in
moderate elrcilnistances was satisfied
| II she had a stylish and attractive ev-
ening gown. and considered herself
prepared for any evening function.
Today she must have at least two;
one reception gown with a long train,
and one shorter dress for dancing
Hrock.
Again. the middle class woman's
afternoon gown Of few years ago
did service fort home wear. for any
afternoon function, for church and for
1.-THE less dressy evening function. To-
day this dress has been subdiyided
Into at least two frocks. One is called
a house gown and is supposed to be
worn at home, or to very Informal
gatherings. The other is much more
elaborate affair and is worn to teas,
afternoon receptions, concerts, bridge,
etc.
Mind you, tlqthes diffeE,fntiste SUCH
as this is not simply for the wealthy.
.IIE were to try to chronicle tile oc2a-
sIons for which the real society wo.
IMAM. must have separate gowns,
SHOULD use the rest of this column.
but the frocks have mentioned must
Ibe in the wardrobe of the distinctly
4 mIddle.class woman; If she wants to
Ibe properly dressed at the functions
which middle-class society offers TO
lher. :.
Do you remember your mothers
best dress OF twenty years ago? DO
YOU remember the innumerable oe-
ciasions for which It did dnty-the
church supper the high school gragdu,
alton, the afternoon tea, the. ladies'
aid social, the concert, the formal call,
the woman's club meeting?> Again |,
Icould fill this column If ! were to
Ichronicle the occasions for which that
gown was considered perfectly proper.
Compare that with today, and then
lnrophecy what we shall have twenty
wears from today-if you dare.
While / am on this subject, can't
Iforebear 10 pass OH TO YOU a method
which the dressmaker whom quoted
above has invented to eliminate one
extra gown. II may help some Young
woman who wishes to keep up with
tine times but GNds herself breathless,
or rather penniless, in her efforts to
do so. This dressmaker made com
bination dancing frock and reception
gown with the tunic effect, which is
50 popular, and hanging about four
inches from the floor. NCnder the
Imnic. where it wouldn't sho" she put
a broad tuck and she also fashioned
train which was to fall from the waist
When her customer wants 10 30 TO a
reception she lets down the tuck and
sews on the train. and behold, re-
ceptlon gown!
Perhaps by telling You this am
helping on the cause of this outrage
GUS clothes differentiation, but ] guess
am willing to risk it.
I3pz2 G~,a,-.>,-,-,,