COST OF DRESSES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2116, 17 April 1920, Page 4

COST OF DRESSES.

HIGH PRICES RESENTED

AUCKLAND WOMEN’S VIEWS

QUESTION OF A “BOYCOTT.”

The indignation of Dunedin women at the high cost of. women’s clothing is fully shared by Aucklanders, who view the constantly increasing prices with dismay, says (he Herald. There is no question that the present cost of clothing is a matter of gravest concern, not merely to the people popularly knoAvn as the “poorer classes,” who are in numberless instances entirely unable to purchase clothing, and the dependent upon the social workers for their supply, but also to those in other walks of life where it is necessary that a certain standard in dress should be observed. The wife of the labouring man with a large family can say frankly that to buy clothing is impossible, and she goes to the social workers. But the wile of the clerk, the smalt salesman, who very often has not more than a week on which to maintain not only her homo but a certain social standard, cannot get out of her difficulties this way, and it is on this type of family that the present excessive prices are pressing very heavily. A number of Auckland women interviewed on the subject expressed (heir opinions frankly. “The prices are simply ’frantic’ —that is the only word one can use!” exclaimed one. “Who gets the benefit of such prices I don’t know, as all the drapers maintain they are making the barest percentage of profit, but it certainly is not the buyers, tor quality doesn’t enter into the question of expensive clothing nowadays. 1 can more than vouch for the correctness of those Dunedin women’s experiences from my own. They are too moderate, if anything. They mention women’s hats being sold for six guineas, as if that were the high-water mark, when Auckland drapers are asking ton guineas and seven and a-half for a certain kind of hat, and selling plenty of them, too!” READY-MADE COSTUMES.

Another shopper related her experiences in trying to secure a ready-made costume. .. “1 wanted something for ordinary every-day wear,” she said, “and they showed me suits at 20 and 25 guineas, quite plain and nothing particular as to cut. When 1 finally got a little New Zealand tweed coat and skirt for 12 guineas, 1 thought •myself extremely lucky, although I could not help feeling sorry for the girl who has to clothe herself on 10s a week pocket money. How these office girls and others, earning perhaps 35s or £2 a week, manage to dress and look as smart as they do is a mystery.”

Another woman told of her search for an evening frock. “Nothing for tiie Prince of Wales’ reception, or anything like that,” she remarked, “just a simple little gown such as I could- have bought for H) or 12 guineas a year or two ago. the shop-assistant look down a flimsy draping of silk, trimmed with a wisp of ninon, two tassels and a rosebud, and assured me it was a real bargain at 25 guineas. The next ‘creation’ was a little more exclusive, a yard or so of velvet below the waist, and halt a yard of silver trimming above it. . . thirty guineas! I

wti.s told in a hushed voice it uas u model when I showed my amazement, as though that were the lust word on the subject. At the same time, we would like to knmv the origin of many of these ‘models,’ some of which consist of the very same material and trimming sold in another department of the shop. The actual cost of many a dress, judging by the prices of these goods, is somewhere about six or seven pounds, but when you ask for ready-made evening frocks they are ‘models’ at anything from eighteen guineas up. PROTEST AGAINST EXTRAVAGANCE. One well-known Auckland woman expressed herself very tranklv on the subject of the present-day spirit of extravagance in dress, ot which the trade was taking full advantage. “There is no doubt that many women are really al traded to an article of clothing because of its high price,” she said. “It may he quite unsuitable, and of poor quality, but they will purchase it simply because it is expensive. Such women are always expensively dressed, not welldressed, hut they do not realise the difference, because they don’t know the first thing about quality.”

“It is more than time that, women roused themselves, and demanded the reason for the present excessive prices,” said another Auckland woman. “Some of us have already tried to waken women’s interest in the matter, and to institute a boycott of high-priced goods, hut when it comes to the point, they draw hack.”

“MEY SHOULD GIVE A LEAD.’

Others agreed that it would he a good thing if something in the nature of a boycott of high-priced luxury Avear could he established, hut immediately followed with a query as to what should he classed as luxury in clothing, and Avhnt classed as necessary. “You see, a Avoinau needs so much,” observed one. “There are so .very many etceteras of all kinds she requires that it would he extremely difficult to know where to begin catling down. But one thing is, very certain —the cost of all kinds of men's apparel is exorbitant. . The men just pay anything they are asked, and do not seem to question it. It is not right

this should be so. Men’s clothing is ail made after a, certain style and cut, and I think they purchase many expensive and useless articles. Let them start'a boycott, and very probably if it does any good the women will later on be quite ready to follow their example.”