PRICES TWENTY YEARS AGO

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 54, 27 November 1926, Page 18

PRICES TWENTY YEARS AGO

A VISION OF BLISS. To read of dress prices of twenty years ago is like a fairy tale to the harassed woman of to-day, battling with short allowances and high prices to carry oui t'he dictates of fashion. It is also a complete answer to those who complain of the extravagance of the modern woman compared with her sister in Edward’s reign. I found the fairy tale in an old English magazine of 11)05 (says a writer in tho ‘‘Age’’). Dress prices in England have always been slightly lower than here, but the increase in twenty years has been in the same proportion. The magazine detailed various dress allowances for the girls of those days. Since it made provision for healing, dancing, tennis, and riding, the girls referred to must have been well off. But tho prices! Listen— Dressmakers would make everyday wear frocks for from 15s. to 20s. What philanthropy I With blue serge at Is 6d. a yard, “nun’s veiling” at Is. 3d., and beige at Is., a now dress would not be (he considerable item it is now. When washing muslin "suitable for ten nis frocks” could be bought at 4-Jd. n yard no girl with clever fingers need pav moro than half a crown for the frock.

Forty-five shillings would buy a boating costume of cream serge at a good shop; £3 a "plain green velvet dinner dress, cut low back and front," and 2 guineas a black Russian net evening frock.

At an Oxford Street shop a lady’s tailor-made costume could be made to measure for 12s. 6d., a smart black serge jacket for 325., and a tweed waterproof coat for a guinea. The thought almost brings tears to one’s eyes! Shoes might almost have been given away. A pair of "exquisitely embroidered da neo shoes,” with buckles, for 10s. 6d.; strong tan walking shoes for 7s. lid.; white kid evening shoes for 3s. ll|d.; patent court shoes for 4s. fid., and a pair of black velveteen house slippers for Is. Illd. What a world to live in! Good silk stockings were 45.. fine black cashmere 2s. 6d., and lisle thread Is. Illd. a pair.

"Undies” wore made from nainsook at Bd., lace at Id., and embroidery at 3d. a yard. A white embroidered petticoat was 4s. 6d., corsets, which many can now rub off their bill, cost Is. lid or 2s. Hd. For all but the best occasions a strawsailor hat at 2s. Gd. or 3s. 6d. was quite sufficient; 10s. would buy a toque covered with pale-coloured flowers, and 12s 6d. a "best trimmed hat.” With a heart-rending vision of kid or doeskin gloves at 2s. fid. or 2s. lid., lei us end this tantalising glimpse into a world that may never come back.

Following is an American recipe: Crullers.—Take J cup shortening, 1 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1 cup milk, about 44 cups flour, 4 teaspoons baking powder, j teaspoon salt, 4 teaspoon nutmeg, } teaspoon allspice, 4 teaspoon vanilla. Cream shortening and add sugar gradually. Add well beaten eggs and the milk.’ With three cups of the flour mix baking powder, salt and spices, and add to first mixture. Add vanilla and enough more flour to make n dough that can be handled. Roll to about a quarter of an inch in thickness, cut in half inch strips and twist to form figure eights, or cut with an ordinary dough nut cutter. Fry in deep fat." Time in cooking, 3 minutes each. Temperature, 370 degrees. This recipe will make three dozen crullers.