Picture Play Magazine (1938)

42 l-hiitn. pennies I wouldn't get one of the fashionable furs. That may sound paradoxical when I'm trying to tell you how to be well dressed, but it's quite simple. "By getting a fur that isn't enjoying a great vogue you can get the best of its kind for less than a cheap skin of a Fashionable fur. "Many women who couldn't afford a silver fox buy pointed fox. A pointed fox is nothing but black fox with white hairs stuck in. I would rather have a good scarf of fitch or stone-marten or cross fox than I would a pointed fox, and it wouldn't cost nearly so much. "There's nothing rattier than a cheap fur piece after it's been used a little, whereas a good fur looks good as long as there is any fur left on the hide. Say thirty-five dollars to fifty dollars for a fur piece. "Oh, yes! Don't ever roll a fur. It mats the fur and breaks the skins. Either lay it flat in the drawer or hang it up. And every time you take it out, shake it well. I've had m\ silver foxes five years and my sables six — and they still look like new. "Of course, you need one heavy coat and let me urge you to stay away from coats with fur trimmings. Most of your money goes into the fur and, even so, it's still the cheapest fur obtainable -except in very expensive coats. For twenty five dollars to forty dollars you can get an excellent coat without fur and all your money goes into the material and workmanship. You already have your fur piece to tone it up. "Shoes are the third thing on which I'd indulge myself. Possibly that's because they are my one extravagance. "But even if I had only one pair I'd see to it that they were good. One pair of good shoes will outlast two or three pairs of cheap ones. In addition, they hold their shape until they are worn out — especially if you put trees in them at night. I'd say five dollars to seven dollars and fifty cents a pair for shoes. "Don't wear French heels with a suit. Cuban heels, yes, but not French. "Keep your bags clean on the inside! There's nothing worse than seeing some one open a bag and having the inside covered with lipstick, rouge, powder and dirt. A good bag will last for years and, at sales, you can get good ones for two dollars. Suede, of course, looks beautiful but it's difficult to keep fresh. Unless you can afford several bags I would stick to leather. "In summer I go in for linencovered bags. I have several that I bought on sale for two dollars and ninety-eight cents, including an initial. I imagine without the initial they could be had for one dollar and fifty cents. The nicest part about them is you can take the cover off, wash and iron it at home and it always looks fresh and new. "Don't ask me about hats because I loathe them, but two hats should be enough and they should be as, plain as possible. Two dollars and fifty cents to five dollars apiece for hats. "Underclothes should be as tailored as possible and cheap lace strictly taboo. The plainer inexpensive under things are, the fresher they can be kept looking and here, again, as in the case of evening gowns and winter coats, your money goes for material rather than trimming. Un-, dergarments and hose are staple. You know what they cost] without my telling you. "In closing, let me say this: I think a woman is wel dressed when she, herself, is predominant and her clothes seem a part of her — like her skin. When she walks into a room she shouldn't make you gasp, 'What a gorgeous gown !' Rather, she should make you aware of her personal charm. It takes thought to be well dressed. If women would spend more thought on quality and less money on quantity they would be better dressed. I would rather have one ensemble that is absolutely right than a lavish wardrobe of halfway things!" Kay is right. You have only to scan the average actress in Hollywood to see that she runs to the fault of most women. She is likely to have too many clothes, too many changes, without owning one ensemble of such superlative quality and style that it stamps her as well-dressed for as long as she wears it.