t in the extreme of fashion. The conservative
garment will last a number of years. The material, as I have already
suggested in another chapter, must be of rough worsted, vicuna, or
material of that kind, and never of broadcloth.

With it you must have a pair of "fancy" or cashmere trousers. These will
cost from eight to fifteen dollars, and they will last you several
years. In fact, the purchasing of the afternoon suit in one way is
excellent: it does not have to be renewed as often as other parts of
your wardrobe. It stays practically in fashion, with little deviation,
for almost a decade.

The silk hat, which is necessary for the afternoon suit, is one of the
most expensive items of a man's wardrobe. A top hat must be of the
prevailing mode. Autumn is the best time for purchasing, as you can
dispense with it after May, except on very special occasions. Two
Derbies--one for autumn and the other for spring--at from two to four
dollars, or only one, for that matter, to last through the entire eight
months, and a straw hat, from two to four dollars, will be the entire
amount expended for headgear by the very best-dressed men. For a Derby
you can substitute an Alpine or Hombourg. The opera crush hat is a
luxury, and you can wear with your evening suit your top hat of the year
before, which you can christen your "night hawk."

Shirt buttons and sleeve links are also an expensive item. However, the
purchase of these occurs but once in a lifetime, and fifteen dollars
would do beautifully for enamel or plain gold.

Ties vary in price, and it is difficult to limit a man on this
expenditure. Many invest in them as a fad, picking them up here and
there, and thus accumulating a large assortment. A little judgment in
purchasing will allow you to acquire quite a large wardrobe. If you give
your personal supervision to the making of your clothes you can employ a
cheap tailor who will turn out very good work. For fashion plates, I do
not know of any better than Du Maurier's pictures of smart London men in
the London Punch. Watch the sales in the autumn and the late spring for
bargains in haberdashery. Study well the advice given in the chapter on
the Care of Clothes in this book, and you will find therein that which
will certainly teach you economy.

CHAPTER V.

INTRODUCTIONS, INVITATIONS, AND CALLS.

Formal introductions are not in vogue in this country. The nearest
approach to it is when one is desirous of introduci