Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-02-11
The Scarlet or Peasant Petticoat"

This new article of dress which is Just
coming into fashion, is thus described,
The most recent innovation, and the
one which excitcs the most comment, is
the Scarlet" or, more properly, Peas
ant Petticoat, to which allus:on has been
made in previous letters: but as the sub
ject is exciting good deal of remark,
and already profusion of structures and
criticisms from the press, it is well for
the ladies to be thoroughly posted in
regard to it. 1t is also necessary, be-
cause few are likely to know anything
concerning it from observation or expe-
rience; American, and especially New
\ DIRK, women being too nervous respect
ing their feet and ANGLES, to adopt a
mode which would subject them to nit
icism in that particular.
Besides which, notwithstanding their
love of novelty, TREY have neither cour-
age nor independence, and will not ven
ture on any decided change, unless it is
endorsed and accepted by q large major
ity.
/ have before stated, and it is very
generally known, that the idea was in
troducei by Qneen Victoria, who OBJ
served it in the costume Of the peasant
girls at her estate in Balmoral, Scotland.
TWAS quickly caught up dy the lead
ers OF fashion, both i'll France and Eng
land, who walk a great deal more than
we do in this country, who at once APP
preciated the advantage Of it. Lady
Gore Ousely bro ueht it to Washington
but her example has not been generally
followed, and it is not likely to be look
ed upon as any thing more than &
caprice. They are worn over u smal
hoop, and i'll length reach to the ANGLE
or the top of a gaiter boot. They ar,
never made Of flannel, but Of Il materia
which is all wool, and more than twice
the thickness Of flannel.
The most elegant are plain scarlet
dark crimson, or green, i'll color, anC
deliberately embroidered over a quarter
Of yard i'll depth from the bottom
The next in quality are bordered will
embossed flowers or palm leaves, The up
per part having narrow black bayader'
stripes. These are four dollars each
The more ordinary ones are finishe'
with simple bayadere stripes, which
grow somewhat broader toward the bot
tom. These can be obtained for tire
dollars. ..
The dress which is worn over is loop
ed up on one side so rs to display
portion of the border Of the peticoat
one hand then being able readily to rails
the other, and preserve it from contac
with the pavement.
Nothing can be imagined more coquet
fish than this idea, and ut the same tim
effectual in preserving garments from
the ruin which is sure to follow any a;
tempt at walking for at least six month
out of the twelve. In fact the difficult,
attending this, and the labor Of carrying
he great mass of skirts under which
women were crushed previous to the ad
vent of hoops, has doubtless done mu"l
toward producing the dislike of phys
cal exercise, the bodily weakness AM
debility which is characteristic of on
countrywomen. Thus any metho'
ought to be considered blessing, whicl
woald remove these evils without outra
ging correct ideas Of good taste AIT
propriety.
Even the fair demurrers at the peaSan
pet,icoat forget, while Directing to th'
possible expose Of an ankle, that the un
graceful hltching up" Of the dress il
bad weather, generally leaevs one pa
Of the person far more exposed than th
possibly could, while the reStofthe robe
together with line white skirts, is lef
dragging in u condition suggestive o
anything but neatness and purity.