New-York tribune., 1922-11-19

FTocesolngs seemingly, upon the the
ory that women, who form the bulk Of
individual purchasers in this country,
are poor shoppers from the standpoint
OF scientific buying. the VIM. Fiienes
Sons Company, of Boston, which has
originated many innovations in depart
ment store and speciality shop retail
ing. has inaugurated budget system
FOR women TO follow In buying their
personal clothing. The system has
been In operation about two months
and results have been encouraging
enough to the firm to continue the
plan.
Briefly. the budget system in the
Filene store enables q woman to buy
her clothes upon g scientifically fnan-
clal basis. It is not designed primari-
~ to make her spend more for her
clothing than she has been accustomed
to spend, but rather to allot her usual
expenditure in such a manner that will
give her the grearest benefit.
In booklet, introducing the budget
system to the women Of Boston and
surrounding territory, the store says:
"A complete wardrobe is by no means
matter Of unlimited spending. No
matter how large a woman's income,
she will still have gaps in her ward
vobe unless she chooses her clothes in
telligently. On the other hand wom-
en- with small income may be we'll
dressed always if she will (1) plan ac-
cording to her individual needs, f2l
buy with an intelligent knowledge Of
fabric, line and color, and of her own
personality, and (3) care for her
clothes Systematically and inteli-
gently"
Form sheets and sample Budgets FOR
the guidance of the novice are sun
piled. These sample budgets are de-
cidedly interesting and were prepared
after exhaustive research into the
needs and incomes Of various classes
of women. The budgets are divided
Into two general classes, one for the
business woman and another for the
woman who stays at home, and range
from an expenditure of $3.50 year up
to $500 a year. Each of the budgets
covers three-year period.
Basis of the Plan
In the instructions on the planning
Of budget the company advises it's
customers to
Il. Decide how much money a year
you can spend for your clothing.
"2. List the wearable clothing you
now have.
"3. List the clothing you will have
to buy for the coming season.
| ~. Divide the amount of money ac-
cording to the following percentages:
43 per cent for dresses, coats and
suits; ID per cent for hats, shoes and
| gloves; s per cent for blouses, sweaters
and skirts; 20 per cent for underwear
and hosiery, and per cent for acces-
sories.
"5. Consider not only the needs of the
coming season, but those over a period
of three years when purchasing your
clothing"
From scientific standpoint the per-
centages listed in the major divisions
the company feels, should be rigidly
followed in planning budget. Fur
ther subdivisions have. been made in
these major groups, with percentages
worked out, but these, the company
says, are tentative and subject to ad-
justment to suit particular needs.
These subdivision percentages are !:
Suits, 8; coats, 12; dresses. 22; hats,
10; shoes, IL; gloves, 8; blouses, g.:
sweaters. 2; skirts, 8; underwear, 90,
and accessories, 5.
Having presumably got the custon
to the point of planning budae
along these lines, the company then
proceeds to give some general instruc-
tions of how to put it into effect.
"Pay attention to stability" urges
the budget pamphlet. "Analyze your
type of figure. Study the lines OF the
garments you are buying and whether
they best suit you. Decide upon the
colors that are suitable for you, and
| adhere TO your decision.
Consider the price from the stand.
point of the entire life of the garment
| For instance, coat that costs 500 and
will wear three years is cheaper in the