THE COST OF CLOTHES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 309, 23 September 1908, Page 3

THE COST OF CLOTHES.

Lady Meath has written to the London "Daily Mail," charging-the ordinary everyday Englishwoman with over-dressing. She (sSys that last, year sho was filled with as : tonishment at the readiness with • which .'women • paid 'eight, teii } . ; .and twelve, guineas for 1 a hat; and this year there' seems no abatement of: expenditure, although prices are\even higher. The point raised by Lady Meath has been the signal for ; a newspaper discussion, and on all bands it is admitted • that the dress bills of not only women of fashion, but of tho less ostentatious suburban woman, have increased materially. In reply it is claimed that this implies not a mere desire for more clothes, but that women are moie fastidious, and they, are to a certain extent learning more of the fitness of things. Thus the woman of the hour is not content with a mere Umpire gown but her lingerio must show traces of the same influence. Her hosiery must be Empire 1 and jewellery must harmonise. Ilio saino rule of detail is applied to the Directoiro models. The matter of "penOd" furnishing which a smart woman likes, to match with her gowns opens another branch of the question. But as far as, the world of dress goes, there is 110 doubt that the demand for the best by people of moderate means has sent up tho prices of . good laces, furs, embroideries, foot-wear, and feathers, for their value has trebled in tho last .five years. ' •