of several good articles of attire rather than one or two is economical
in the end. There is not only the obvious mathematical reason that,
if one dress wears a year, four dresses must be bought in four years,
whether this is done simultaneously or successively, but there is the
physical reason that a dress, like a person, that has regular periods
of rest, becomes restored in quality. Accordingly, all dresses should
be laid very carefully away when not in use, and the proper means taken
to refresh them.

Unfortunately the arbitrary and senseless changes in fashion render
this practice hard to follow. No woman likes to look out of style.
However, by a little cleverness garments and hats may be adapted to
the prevailing mode (although the arbiters of fashion, in the interests
of manufacturers, try by violent changes of style to render this
impracticable). These adaptations may not be in the height of fashion,
but they will be in good form and taste. Indeed, it is never good taste
to follow extremes of style. The well-known lines of Pope on the subject
hold true in every age:

"....in fashions the rule will hold,
Alike fantastic if too new or old;
Be not the first by whom the new are tried,
Nor yet the last to lay the old aside."


Some of the best-dressed women in artistic and musical circles design
their clothes wholly to suit their personal appearance, with such
success that their independence of the prevailing mode of large or small
hats or sleeves, striped or checked fabrics, etc., wins universal
admiration.