Clothing. To obtain the cost of clothing for a family of five, budgets were constructed containing the different articles which probably would be purchased in the course of a year and prices were collected from a number of stores which cater to wage-earners. Quotations were secured for comparatively low-priced but standard grades of goods and these were averaged to obtain the prices given in Table 3. In deciding on the quantity of each article required, the quality of the goods was taken into account. In the case of articles which would not necessarily be replaced every year, what was considered to be a proper fraction of the cost in October, 1919, is given.
TABLE 3: COST OF A LIBERAL ALLOWANCE OF CLOTHING FOR A YEAR FOR A MAN, WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN UNDER FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE IN FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS, AT PRICES PREVAILING IN OCTOBER, 1919
(National Industrial Conference Board)
| Man's budget |
Cost, October, 1919 | Woman's budget |
Cost, October, 1919 |
| 1 suit | $28.00 | 1 coat or suit | $26.00 |
| 1/3 overcoat | 7.50 | ½ dress | 5.25 |
| 1 pair heavy trousers | 6.00 | 1 cotton skirt | 1.98 |
| ½ sweater | 2.50 | 2 waists | 3.60 |
| 2 shirts | 3.50 | 2 house dresses | 4.25 |
| 3 work shirts | 3.50 | 3 aprons | 1.90 |
| 3 pairs overalls | 5.65 | 1½ pairs shoes | 12.95 |
| 2 pairs shoes | 15.75 | 1 pair overshoes | .95 |
| Repair of shoes | 3.35 | Repair of shoes | 2.35 |
| 8 pairs hose | 4.00 | 6 pairs hose | 3.00 |
| 3 union suits | 3.90 | 2 pairs corsets | 4.65 |
| 2 nightshirts | 2.80 | 4 union suits | 4.00 |
| 4 collars | 1.00 | 3 chemises | 3.00 |
| 3 ties | 1.50 | 2 petticoats | 2.00 |
| ½ felt hat | 1.75 | 3 nightgowns | 4.50 |
| Straw hat | 2.00 | 1 straw hat | 1.75 |
| Cap | 1.25 | 1 velvet hat | 2.00 |
| Gloves | 2.25 | Gloves | 3.00 |
| Sundries | 3.00 | Sundries | 4.00 |
| All items | $99.20 | All items | $91.13 |
CHILDREN'S BUDGETS
|
Boy Age 13-14 |
Cost, October, 1919 |
Boy Age 5-6 |
Cost, October, 1919 |
Boy Age 8-9 |
Cost, October, 1919 |
| 1/3 mackinaw | $ 3.20 | 1/3 coat | $ 2.60 | 1/3 coat | $ 3.40 |
| 1/3 sweater | 1.20 | 1/3 sweater | 1.15 | 1/3 sweater | 2.00 |
| 1 suit | 12.75 | 1 suit | 8.65 | 1 wool dress | 8.00 |
| 1 pair trousers | 2.25 | 1 pair trousers | 1.80 | 2 cotton dresses | 5.00 |
| 3 shirts | 3.00 | 3 blouses | 2.75 | 1 white petticoat | 1.50 |
| 3 union suits | 3.50 | 3 union suits | 3.65 | 2 pairs bloomers | 1.30 |
| 2 nightshirts | 3.00 | 3 underwaists | 1.85 | 3 union suits | 2.75 |
| 8 pairs stockings | 3.35 | 2 nightgowns | 2.35 | 3 underwaists | 1.89 |
| 2 pairs boots | 8.00 | 6 pairs stockings | 2.40 | 2 nightgowns | 2.50 |
| 1 pair overshoes | .95 | 2 pairs boots | 5.40 | 6 pairs stockings | 2.58 |
| 1 pair mittens | .40 | 1 pair overshoes | .75 | 2 pairs boots | 8.00 |
| 2 caps | 1.50 | 1 pair mittens | .40 | 1 pair overshoes | .80 |
| 3 ties | 1.00 | 2 caps | 1.80 | 1 pair mittens | .40 |
| Repair of shoes | 2.40 | 1 Windsor tie | .40 | 1 felt hat | 2.00 |
| Sundries | 1.25 | Repair of shoes | 1.65 | 1 straw hat | 1.80 |
| Sundries | .50 | Repair of shoes | 1.65 | ||
| Sundries | .50 | ||||
| All items | $47.75 | All items | $38.10 | All items | $46.07 |
This clothing allowance for a family of five persons would cost $322.25 a year at prices prevailing in Fall River in October, 1919. While the prices given are comparatively low and the quantity allowed is not excessive, clothing may be purchased for less and the requirements of decency and comfort at an American standard may be met with fewer articles. As a matter of fact, a large proportion of families in Fall River do not spend so much as this for clothing, since many of them make certain garments at home or buy them at bargain prices, with a material reduction in cost. For this reason, the clothing budget as given must be regarded as ample rather than as a minimum. To allow for the different means by which the cost of clothing may be reduced, approximately 25% was deducted, bringing the annual minimum cost of an American standard of clothing in Fall River, according to prices prevailing in October, 1919, to $243.36.