New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-16
LADY HAR8ERToNs Reform DRESS


From The LOnd IN Standard
What may be done toward abOllsAng the mani
fold small inconvenience, as well rs tie grdyer be-
cause more injurious. defects in female garb, We
have just been shown. partially at least by the
National Health SOciety's Exhibition Of
Hygiene Wearing Apparel held last week in the
Cayendsh Rooms No II Mortimerst. II attracted
thrOngs Of feminine visitors whose attention nad
probably in most cases been directed To IL ny MI
Trcye's lecture at kensingtOu Of which the LNimb.
ton is intended to be practical illustration The
great object OF observation ana comment was The
divided skirt of which there were many sreci-
mems in various cOlOTs and materials. The Ra-
tiona Dress Society" issues the following descrp.
ton of the skirt il advocates:
Z" The divided skirt Is n skirt divided between inc
legs so as to cothe each leg separai ely the under
clothing TO be arranged bonfath this rs most con-
venient 1t should cone to about the instep quito
clearing the ground, and be made about "A yard
round a: the ankle. An ordinary street dress 70
worn over this. which may be as much or rs LITTLE
trimmed rs the wearer may fancy although TO
secure lghtness the less the better.
The divided skirt may appear under the tor skirt
about two OF three inches without exciting the
least notice.
THE divided skirt and the under garments may
be fastened to a broad band fitted round the hips
SO avoiding pressure OF any sort round the waist;
or if preferred hooks or buttons can be placed 0na
calico bodice to be attached to corresponding loops
on the skirts The top part OF the dress may 10
any loose body Jacket the wearer may choose. al
ways avoiding bands, llgatures or pressure OF any
sort from below the fixed ribs 10 the top of the hips
In this costume the weghto Of clothing may he re:
duced at least One-hat, because as the divided
skirts cover tine DOIy IuJ anu evenly lt"tl idlrt,
of clothing are required, and less material IN then
construction. We have here style OF dress by
which 10 internal organ can be injured, no mnsce
cramped, no movement of the body lmpedcd. and %
which the weaIer may add rs much grace ana
beauty as her own good taste may direct"
Two complete costumes. designed by TINS SOCIETY,"
which took the silver medal at Brighton ENblp-
ton were on view. Both are made with the d
vided skirt, one with "A loosely ironIed BODY, sur
mounted by an open zOuave Jacket; The other mas
long Princesse POonalSe with walstDanu'
lady clad in one of the divided skirts was most
patiently and courteOusly exhibiting II TO surround.
ing visitors. Among its advantages she mentioned
that she had worn it tor some months past as
walking dress. without attracting remark o. any
sort She found the dress very handy 10 dirty
weather rs the skirt followed the movement Oh
each forward foot independently, and was not
liable to be stretched and soiled like an ordinary
skirt against the muddy heel OF the wearers other
boot. 1t can be so lOOped up as 10 form SNORT
dress for walking while for indoor use IL may lahs
at full length Most women who are in the habit Oh
walking for any considerable length OF time To-
gether, or who have gone over rough grouhu Ia
rough weather. must when tollng against the iolc9
of the wind and the weight or cumbersome petl'
coats their steps often impcdcd by narrow, cling
ing skirt. have enYied the and rapdity Win
which husband or brother. or even little sister.
still young enough TO be allowed the Tree action"
her limbs. moved over the same road enjoying VIC
walk. which was spcilt tor The full grown wOmh
by the fatigue, irritation ana disconliorts OF hei
dress, and the CONSCIOUSNESS OF the clumsy heui0
presented by Tapping petticoats irherd WIN nuu
Perhaps the vision OF approaching stiles tiiat me's
he clambercd over IN fetteIcd aw ward taSnioh az
not lessen her annoyance. ii the DIVIDED shh.
does not remedy all these inconvenience, IL Is a.
least enc step toward modifying them. IL Olel'
far less resistance to wind, and gives greater Tree,
dom to the step It's warmth j. greater than that OF
an ordinary DRESS and not even a iall can dsaf'
range its position, so that pcttlic0ats are no lhV
required, though al ything needed Tor Increases
warmth can be worn beneath 1t without involving
Useless weight