COST OF FASHION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9653, 19 November 1913, Page 6

COST OF FASHION.

THE "BEST-DRESSED WOMAN."

At the Melbourne Cup meeting there aro contrasts among women which attract attention. Many go to the Cup, or to the Cup shows in the city, in their ordinary "best dress," perhaps brightened for the occasion and improved by a new hat or lace. At tho other extreme is the woman who welcomes the Cup with a new spring trousseau. She is tho "best-dressed woman.'' She pays four or five guineas to be well corseted, unless she has the good fortune to be slender, when she can escape for 30s. She must have something in a .serge or fabric in ease the weather should bo bad. This will cost £ll. Then a dressy coat and skirt for 15 guineas must be Iwught, an afternoon frock at 14 guineas, and a garden party frock .Jor 20 guineas. A semi-evening toilette Sit £l2. a ballroom gown at 16 guineas, a good cotton frock, seven guineas' worth of shoes, three pairs oT'silk stockings at 12s 6d, and three of cotton stockings at 4s 6d, six pairs of gloves for two guineas, and four hats at from two to six guineas will bring to her the "best-dressed" feeling, hut she should have something dainty in the way of blouses (three guineas), a few washing blouses, a two-guinea sunshade, a pretty handbag, much neckwear (say £o), several Milanese silk petticoats (from two to; ten guineas), and as many beautiful things for her hair as her purse will permit. These are the estimates of a good fitter's establishment in Melbourne, "and tney indicate the extent of the contrast in purses amongst the average people at the Cup.