The National tribune., 1882-08-19
SIGHTS AT THE sEA-SHoRE.
Way Bathing Has Become Popular with tn
Ladies-Bright Costumes and Pretty Figures

Why Bathing Has Become Popular with the
Ladies-Brieht Costumes and Pretty Figures
4 correspondent writing from Cape May says:
All the young men at Cape May do not 90 in
to bathe They don bathing suits and stroll
on the sand. \ few so IN the water, but the
percentage of those who do not increases each
year. Nearly all the ladies bathe except those
who are of Iead-pencn proportions. In years
gone by itwas the custom for the men to brave
the breakers while the ladies made themselves
comfortable on the beach and admired the
graceful movements of their gentlemen friends
in the surf At that time it was somewhat
difficult to distinguish the male from the
female bather, except that the latter made her.
self known by giving vent to loud shrieks
every time a monster wave came rolling in her
direction. The edcts Of society then ordered
baggy trousers for bathing suits for the females,
tight at the ankles, long skirts reaching below
the knees and an easy-ftting waist. As time
wore on both the skirt and trousers became
shorter, until they are shown in their present
abbreviated form. As the opportunity offered
itself for displaying the female shape bathing
became more popular. 4 woman who would
step into the surf at Cape May to-day in one
OF the old-time SUITS looking like a Turk or
Zouave, would be more conspicuous on account
OF her assumed modesty than she who displays
herself in the conventional robes. 1t is no un-
common sight to see ladies parade the beach
for couple Of hours exhibiting themselves
who would become greatly agitated at other
times if contrary wind were to disturb the
hang of their skirts.
Io+ bo-
the maidens at the shore rival each other in
their makeup. A suit of dark blue flannel,
with pantalettes reaching to the knees, and
skirt ending at the same place, are the main
points Of the costume. Then long stockings of
either red, garnet, olive, or dark green On
the head is generally worn red silk handker-
chief, to conceal the Oilskin cap. The stock
ings fit tightly and disclose all the angularitie5
of the lower extremities. Plump, weIl-shaped
maidens seem to enjoy this new suit, but as
heretofore remarked, thin girls either do not
bathe or else run in and out of the water so
quickly as to be almost unnoticed The regu-
larity of outline and the general appearance
of the parts incased in some of the stockings
lead to the belief that art has been called to
the assistance of nature. In ballet dancer it
would be declared that she padded" but of
course such a charge could not be made against
the lady bathers at the shore. The skirt and
trousers having been curtailed, the latest kink
is to take the sleeves out of the suit. A we'll
known bell has low-cut corsage and a sleeve
less jacket. She is quite conspicuous, and her
appearance is watched for by rude young men.
One of the greatest failures of the season at
Cape May was that of weIl-known society
lady who had a bathing suit made of silk, with
stockings to match. 1t looked well in the
dressing-room before the glass, but when it
became wet too much attention was attracted
to her, and she sought the bath-house, dis
guised in q waterproof cloak.