Clothing - Choice, Care, Cost

PREFACE WASTE is one of the main causes of high prices. It has become a habit with large numbers of people, but must be checked or prices may go still higher. This can only be accomplished by each individual consumer and family buyer locking her pocketbook and for health and only opening itwhen an article is absolutely necessary comfort in living, is a worthy article, and is not too high in price for its intrinsic .value. To do this wisely will require the education of many of our citizens in. the entire field of expenditure, including the wise selection of textiles and clothing. As long as there are more buyers than commodities prices will continue high. Therefore earnest effort for thrift in clothing will react to advantage on the family and on the nation. During the war the citizen saved as never before for the gravity of the issue was realized. The appeal for thrift fell on willing ears, and it was a surprise to find the giant in anticipation dwindled to a dwarf in realization and the household, though limited in its outlay, con- tinued to thrive. A riot of extravagance in buying followed the war. The ease with which money had been made in America has made extrava- gance, or at least thoughtless buying, a national habit. It is the great opportunity now of every citizen to study the best way to economize and also to spend. The clothing bill of twenty-three million families is said to be in the neighborhood of five billions a year. Every individual and family should endeavor to lessen this as a national service. It will not only create a personal margin to meet the high cost of living in the family, but save material and labor for the entire nation. Giving up luxuries and lavishclothing and purchasing reliable and substantial garments are desirable. It is not so much to stop spending as to buy with wisdom with the needs of the present era in view that is needed...