MARRIAGE 4^ THE TROUSSEAU 1 ^^^^^^ Xkyivg to make an entire trousseau at home make a special effort, and to supplement the 1 IS a mistake. Ready-made garments following hst m some particulars. often can be bought cheaper than they can be „,,^nPFn ouinea trousseau made at home. Time, however, may be spent HUNDRED-GUINEA TROUSSEAU ^ profitably altering and trimming them. The , , tttt o trousseau should consist mainly of lingerie ; Wedding-gown 1 1 ii o frocks and gowns soon become unfashionable. Wedding veil, tulle 220 Trousseaux are more sensibly planned in Wedding handkerchief . . . . 0150 these days than they were a generation back. Going-away gown . . . . . . 7 7 o Then it was considered indispensable that the Two evening gowns at is 5s. each 10 10 o bride should be furnished with so many Two afternoon gowns, one a ffowns that she could not possibly wear them tailor-made, at ;^4 4s., the other all before some became unfashionable. But a reception dress at ;^5 5s. . . 9 9 « now it is considered sufficient if the supply Travelling coat 5 5 « is adequate to the requirements of a few Cloth or satin coat 3 3 months. Four hats, various prices . . . . 500 This appHes, however, to the visibiUties Rest gown 3 3 « only of the marriage trousseau. The hngcrie Dressing gown . . . . . . • • i 10 . o must still be abundant. The fashion of under- Shoes, six pairs, various prices . . 315 o wear changes less rapidly than that of gowns, Gloves, veils, neckwear, etc. . . 3 10 « coats, and hats. Enough lingerie for a couple Umbrella. 21s.; sunshade, 14s. 6d. i 15 » of years therefore, must be included in the Bloi^ses and slips 5 ^ ^ list for the trousseau. Six nightgowns, trimmed with The cost must, of course, be relative to the lace and embroidery, at los. 6d. 3 3 o position of the bride, and her family resources. Six nightgowns, less elaborate, at It has also to bear some relation to the 5s. 6d. . . i 13 o number of daughters in the family. Suppose Six summer combinations, at there are six sisters. The father cannot be 7s. 6d - • • 250 expected to spend as much on the trousseau Six winter combinations, at of one of them as if she were his only girl. los. 6d . • 3 3 « On the other hand, if there are several Six pair knickers, summer, at daughters, and if they are clever with fingers 7s. 6d 250 and sewing machines, they may lessen, to Six pair knickers, winter, at some extent, the cost of the trousseau by 9s. 6d 2 17 o making some of it at home. Six camisoles, at 4s. 6d 170 The cost of the trousseau, then, may be Three camisoles, at 6s o 18 o anything from ;^5 to ;^io,ooo. The latter Three evening camisoles, at 7s. 6d. 126 amount represents the outlay for more than One corset 150 one American bride who has entered our One evening corset 150 British Peerage by the matrimonial gate. Three white petticoats, with lace The former sum might suffice for the girl or embroidery, at. 12s. 6d. .. i 17 6 who becomes the wife of an artisan or of a One white petticoat, more elab- junior clerk. orate o 18 6 That a trousseau has occasionally been One moirette petticoat . . . • 0136 provided for less is proved by the case of One silk afternoon petticoat . . 150 the lady who married the late J. McNeill One silk evening petticoat .. .. i 10 o Whistler, the famous American artist, Mr. Six pair of stockings, winter, at Labouchere relates that meeting her one 2s. 6d o 15 o day shortly before the date fixed for the Six pair of stockings, summer, at wedding, he remarked, " You must be very 2s. 6d 0150 busy about your trousseau." " No," she Six pair of evening stockings, at replied ; " my trousseau is a very simple 2s. 6d. 0130 one. All I shall buy is a new toothbrush and One dozen handkerchiefs . . . . 013 o a new sponge." One dozen handkerchiefs . . . . 0106 Here are given estimates for two trous- seaux at different prices. That at one /104. 16 o hundred guineas is suitable for the daughter ^ of a professional man or a private gentleman, who is going to marry into a position equal No mention has been made of motor to her own in life. costume, of riding habit, of furs, of sporting Should a girl, however, be engaged to a dress, such as an outfit for fishing in Norway, man of much superior rank something more shooting in Scotland, or for travelling in would be expected in the matter of gowns, as far lands. Any or all of these must be she would probably be going more into supplied according to circumstances. Furs society and associating with women who are often given as wedding presents. The dress richly and well. The father of such a cost of the other things must be added to bride would find himself called upon to tbni of the trousseau.
