Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
BY ANNE RITTENHOUSE.

NEW YORK, December "a, 1918
Why should an evening gown cost so
much? There is only sample OF ma
reriaI in it, The answer to that eternal
question was given by number OF
dressmakers who are getting ready 10
60 IN Paris on their semi annual puy-
ing expedition
They claim that it is necessary Tor
them to get back on each evening
gown they make something OF the duty
which they pay into the custom house.
This Is so per cent, therefore a gown
that cost them $3.50 in Paris, cost them
slso duty here. which brings the gown
nm To $500 in all 1t is not possible Tor
them Ia get this price for every gown
,hev make from that. model, although
they do il here and there from some
woman who has the money 10 pay
II is on the copies that the aulS IL
aid hack into their Golfers. Fhey are
not out. and the American government
il not out. only the consumer Suilefs,
which il 50 old a trick IN nauohdl
finance that " Is pFoliiluiS ~ " "
The dressmakers do not see why their
patrons should object, for II these pa
irons attempted to bring through
similar gown they would be compelled
to pay the full so per cent oil the ORIG
nal cost The answer some women
make is that at least. they would pos
sess the original model, and the answer
pelIed TO pay from $500 up on "a gown
the would not buy it
AL of which is. no doubt, true. There
are so many varying and fascinating
sides TO the absorbing subject OF dress
that one could go OF for columns and
gossip about the play and interplay In
the business of selling clothes in this
day when costumery has reached the
pinnacle of prestige.
II Is not jest but fact, that
evening frocks are made from one
width of material And bad as II sounds,
the effect is not ungraceful or un-
pleasing See the sketch. This skirt
has no seams. 1t is made the length
Of the fabric. which is unusually wide.
and draped across a full width of ehif-
fon in front The edges of the satin
are heavily embroidered with silver
bullion thread in an ornate design: As
you see for yourself. the lett side IL
caught over To the right with heavy
ornament
That panel down the front is part of
an underskirt which is cut off at
ankles and edged there with a narrow
fringe of silver beads. The stockings
are of pale pink silk. and the slippers
of silver brocade. And, il you want .
seryiceable pair of slippers that easily
clean and do not gather to themselves
all the dirt OF the universe. get these
light brocade ones
The bla TX velvet ones are very fash
ionable. even with white satin gowns
but they are soon caked with the wa1
used on a dancing floor. IL you are OF
the dancing fraternity The white ones
seem to avoid this trouble, and they
also go with any gown, which is ar
economical comfort.
The bodice Of this frock is negligible
in quantity, but il is decidedly inter
esting, because IL has square decoi
letage. In day of everything elss
but a square, this individual return t.
IL carries some weight. The cash is. o.
course, the glory of the whole. 1t |!
of pale green silk. "A weave of taffeta
that many OF the dresSmakers ar,
using on their evening frocks, espe
cially those adorable ones of pompa
dour silk. The tone of the green al
mond is quite alluring, and IL you ge
into the habit of thinking of 1t for
touch on "A gown, YOU Will get some
good results.
Much has been written here abou
catching up a train TO the drapery d