Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/222

 MARRIAGE 20Q THE TROUSSEAU Ctntinued frofrt feige 4S, Part I The waning importance of Trousseaux — Only a few Frocks should be included : they soon become Unfashionable — The Bride when selecting should Consider her Husband's, not her Father's position NVALUABLE is the habit of making a list, in almost every department of expenditure, and it is never more precious than in connection with the trousseau. In fact, it is the only means of securing that symmetry of outlay which averts disorder and the over- supply of some articles at the risk of inade- quacy in others, a form of robbing Peter to pay Paul. It is unnecessary and inadvisable to buy many gowns, as the fashion of them alters so quickly, but a good supply of boots and shoes is a safe investment. A pair of thick boots for wear in wet weather, a lighter pair for dry, may head that' particular section of the list, with black shoes, brown shoes, house-shoes, evening shoes to match each evening gown, embroidered ones for home afternoons, and warm boots for motor- ing. About a dozen pairs in all ; but there is no extravagance in this, as shoes wear much better after having been kept a long time, especially on trees. A pair for each is an economy. The "Victorian" Trousseau In a previous article the number of gar- ments has been considered carefully, but it is observable that with each year that passes the trousseau appears to diminish in importance, and fewer " pieces " of each kind are included in it. In Victorian times a bride of the leisured classes would have been considered very badly equipped had she less than two dozen of everything in underwear in her provision. But prices were very moderate in those days as compared with the present. Six night- gowns nowadays cost as much as two dozen in those less extravagant times, and this quite sufficiently accounts for the decreasing numbers. In those days, too, unmarried girls seldom wore expensive furs, but brides of even moderate social position would consider their trousseau very incomplete nowadays without at least a stole and muff. Some- times a relative gives her them ; the bride- groom occasionally does so, but if not, she feels obliged to have furs even if she be a summer bride. This " feeling obliged " is one of the ruinous things connected with our present social system. Because other brides have luxurious furs, and other costly items in their trousseau, girls in the same set feel bound to live up to the same high standard. It is an entirely false view to take, and it bears hardly on both parents and husband. It has ruined many a home, has destroyed the happiness of many a young couple. It was a good old rule in the days of sane' and sensible expenditure never to buy any- thing that one could not afford to replace. It seems to be forgotten now, when the love of luxury leads to the purchase of expensive garments that become worn out after a few visits to the laundress. Over-trimming is the fault of these, and it is typical of one of the errors of the age. Choose with an Eye to the Future A girl's trousseau should be as pretty, as dainty, as liberal as her father's means can afford to make it. She should go to her husband as well provided as possible. But the clothes should be chosen with an eye to the future. Huge washing bills are a great drag upon a moderate income, and laundresses charge heavily for much- trimmed garments. Lace and frills wear out, too. It is better to choose tucks and embroidery. White gowns are very becoming and attractive, but they need frequent cleaning, and this is a point to be considered. It involves some self-denial to refrain from indulging in white or light-tinted gowns, costumes, dressing-gowns, especially at a time when one likes to look particularly well ; but it is worth it. In fact, it would be grossly selfish to do otherwise. Absurd Family Pride It is sometimes forgotten that the character and cost of the trousseau should be in accord with the position and circumstances of the bridegroom, rather than with those of the bride's family. She may be leaving a wealthy home to enter upon one where the income is so limited as to call for careful economy in expenditure. The pride of her family induces them — unless they are un- usually sensible — to furnish her with a trousseau extravagantly out of proportion to her future position. If they were merely to content themselves with quantity, and provide her with abund- ance of the utilities, this would work very well ; but the handsome gowns, furs, laces, etc., generally figuring in such a trousseau start her on her sartorial career on a level which she cannot sustain without running into debt, and yet which she regrets to relinquish. This " obligation " which well- to-do parents feel, of keeping up their sup- posed financial credit and social position, is often a two-edged sword, cutting into their own means very seriously, and starting their daughter on a mistaken path. It is always difficult to hold scales quite evenly, and particularly so when conflicting interests have to be carefully and surely balanced against each other.