Business & Finance: Women

A Department of Commerce report issued last week showed the difference between the clothing women bought in 1931 and in 1929. Important shifts:

4,539,000 nightgowns against 9,460,000 in 1929.

7,033,000 sleeping pajamas against 5,172,000.

5,145,000 daytime pajamas against 771,000.

33,922,000 one-piece less-than-$1 dresses against 22,865,000.

24,785,000 one-piece $3-$5 dresses against 14,950,000.

19,821,000 one-piece $10-$25 dresses against 31,212,000.

2,322,000 one-piece $25-and-up dresses against 8,340,000.

The total value of women's and children's clothing produced in 1931 was $1,223,664,000, down 24% from 1929 in dollars, but not much in yardage. It was still double the value of men's and boys' clothing which was down 39% from 1929.