GIRLS & CLOTHES

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1935, Page 6

GIRLS & CLOTHES

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS.

NERVES and cigarettes

Further details of what they considered necessary for clothes cosmet es, perfume and “smokes tor the aver* ge working girl were given m Sydney bj two young women last week, "hen t . Industrial Commission resumed its inquiry into the living standard and the living wage. , ~ Continuing her evidence, . Miss U., a skilled worker, said she oonsuleied that, in a year, the average working o-irl should have seven pairs of bloomers a best hat for both winter and summer costing in all 28s 6d (providing the hats were renovated for wealing to business at the 'end of a season), one winter costume and a macitnosl, (the last-named costing about 27s 6c). A tweed overcoat was also essential. Air Justice Browne: Do most working girls wear bed socks i Witness: Yet. I don’t, as if it is cold, I wrap my feet in an old jumper. For the summer, said witness, she had one good dress, made by herself from four yards of material at 6s lid a yard. The making of this would cost from 25s to 30s. Three other cheaper frocks were also needed every summer. Other necessary articles were slippeis at 5s lid, a kimono at 15s lid, as well as a bath robe, three slips, a light overcoat, three brassieres at 3s 6d each and 12 handkerchiefs.

A girl on the basic wage, witness continued, should be able to buy goloshes, two pairs of shoes at 30s each, which she bought on the lay-by, and which lasted her two years, a pair of white summer shoes at 10s 6d for two seasons, evening shoes, an umbrella at 12s (id, which should last three or four seasons, two pairs of stockings at 6s lid, and six pairs at 4s lid A yfear, and an -evening frock, the material for which was obtainable at 3s lid a yard. It would cost 10s to have this frock cut and tacked. A working girl should also have an evening coat.

All - Justice Brown: 'AVhat ,amount should an ordinary working girl spend on cosmetics ?

Witness: Well, the average working girl uses, in a year, two boxes of powder at 2s 6d each, a jar of vanishing cream at 2s 6d, two jars of cold cream at 2s. 6d each, and two boxes of rouge to colour the cheeks at 3s 3d a box. I had better tell you about the 3s 6d boxes, as I used cheaper rouge once and it made holes in my skin. I had to go about looking a perfect fright, not being able to use anything. If a girl bought rouge at Is 6d a box she would want about six boxes a year. AYitness said she further considered that, while many girls used eye-brow pencils, she did not think them essential. Lanolino for the hands, three bottles of nail polish, orange sticks for the cuticle, two nail files, six powder puffs, and a bottle of hair oil were needed every year. Hair waving cost her 12s 6d a year. Air Justice Browne: Is that neccscary for an ordinary working girl? AVitness: It is now, although it was not necessary once. The style of the hats worn demands that the hair shall he waved or curly. Two bottles of perfume a year are also reasonable, as it is used sometimes to cure a headache.

“Do you smoke?” asked‘Mr Flynn, who appeared for the Public Service Association. “Yes,” answered witness. “Most girls smoke now.” \ Mr Justice Browne: How much do you spend on cigarettes ? W itnes.s : About 2s 6d a week. Mr Justice Browne (surprised): You mean 2s Gd a year. Witness: No, a week, I said 2s 6d, not 10s 6d. .Mr Justice Browne: I know. Do you think it is necessary for the average working girl to smoke?

“1 do,” replied witness, who added that four packets of cigarettes a week uould be a reasonable allowance judging by what the average girl smoked. I think smoking is necessary for most girls for their nerves,” slq- added emphatically.

Ihe next witness who wished to be known as “Miss J. R.,” said she received £2 2s 9d a week as a table hand in a printing works. She belonged to a library at Bondi, which cost 2d a volume.

Giving; her opinion of ,a working girl s requirements in a year, witness included as being necessary in a wardrobe two pairs of woollen pyjamas, eight pairs of bloomers, costing 3s 6d each, and nine singlets at 2s lid. One costume would last her tbre e winters. During the year she required four pairs of gloves. For a winter she had one best bat costing £l, wearing berets that cost 2s lid each to work. Two summer hats cost, her £1 8s lid, and one good summer frock £2 10s. A second summer dress of 4yds. at 3 S fid a yard cost her 17 s fid to he made up. and the life 0 f this was six.months.