A Smart Appearance.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue VIII, 23 August 1902, Page 509

A Smart Appearance.

“1 always make u point of wearing niy best clothes whenever 1 go out anywhere,” remarked a pretty and very popular woman. “People are so apt to say it is not worth while to put on a smart gown for such and such a function, etc.! Now, 1 find it is always worth while. If you look dowdy there is invariably somebody to say now dreadfully you have gone off; and if you are well turned out it is much more apt to be commented upon than at a place where everyone is equally well dressed; besides, the unexpected is always the most likely to happen, and the feeling of reward on being ready for an emergency is most gratifying.” “The clever girl,” says a modern writer on such topics, “is never taken at a disadvantage.” Au obvious fact, but, oddly enough, one that is seldom realised or practised. “But this involves so much labour and expense,” says an impecunious maiden, who makes perforce many of her own frocks, and who is obliged to be economical about laundry work. Not necessarily. A brown Holland apron will always protect a nice - looking gown from harm, and it has the becomingness of fitness in itself. A certain young woman who has a taste for carpentry, and handles her tools with the ability of an expert, never looks prettier than in her workman’s apron of blue ticking, with its deep pockets for her nails and tools, while her sleeves and cuffs are protected by muslin gathered into an elastic top and bottom. No danger of this young person being taken at a disadvantage! “Talking of wearing one’s best clothes,” continued the first speaker, “I know a mother and daughter who get several gowns apiece from the best ateliers in Paris every year, but never wear them regularly until the season comes round again, the consequence being, although they spend

more than most of ns upon their clothes, they always look old-fash-ioned. ’No, my dear,’ 1 often hear the mother say to the daughter, ’do not put on the new P.. it is too good for such an occasion; 1 should think your old blue velvet that X. made you last winter would be quite dressy enough.' So it would, but if the girl had a better, why not weal it and get the credit of it!” O O O O