Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-04-19
Gales aud Skttthfs.
Women and Mems Clothing.
A LEAP YEAR TENDENCY THAT Is VERY
GENERAL AMONG FASHIONABLE LADIES.

" Il
.Can be measured for pair of trou-
sers ?" said a ne-looking, well dressed
lady entering clothing store on Chestnut
above Eight street, yesterday, going up
to one of the statesmen.
..Certainlv,n said the salesman with
easy nonchalance as if it was the most
ordinary everyday occurrence. "Step
this way. if you please" and accompany
ing her to another part of the building he
turned her over to the proper hands In
answer to inquiries as to the explanation
of this occurrence, the head of the depart
ment said:
..Oh, yes. there is nothing surprising
about that. We make mems suits for
ladies right along. | don't know what
this particular lady wanted with men 5
clothing for herself; we never ask, unless
they choose to tell US; perhaps leap year
has something to do with the increase IN
orders of that kind. We make good
many full suits. Now, here is a case in
point. This pair of trousers is for very
pretty little lady, who looks so petite that
you would never suppose. to look at her,
she would require so large a size. She
is having three suits made. One is a
knock around suit, with single-breasted
sack another is full buttoned blue frock,
with fancy lining, and the other suit has
knickerbocker breeches and is a very neat
fit. We think nothing of it. Why, we
make all of Anna Dlckinson's trousers.
Really? What in the world does Miss
Dickinson want with trousers?"
..Cant tell, only she has them. Maybe
thew are for riding-mavbe for indoor
wear. We are in the habit of making all
her trousers anyhow. Why. women folks
say that trousers are great deal more
comfortable, and those we make for them
have always been very successful in hit
ting"
From other sources it was learned that
while mems trousers are not likely to be
adopted by any ladies in Philadelphia for
out-of door wear, there is a tendency on the
part of some of the ladies in this city who
are recognized as fashionable ladies to
have their spring street costumes this year
made more comfortable and simple and in
some respects resembling mems dress. A
prominent firm of tailors are making a
good many coats for ladies that are almost
fac-simles of coats made Tor men. Sim
ilarlv, a number of ladies have already
appeared on the street with mems vests,
showing shirt fronts and neckties. The
greatest novelty in ladies' costume that
has been seen in Philadelphia for a long
time has Just been made for a fashionable
Young lady. The outer coat is cut away
in front and has a back just like gentle
mems coat The edges are bound with
braid and the collar is also reversible, with
buttonhole in the lapel for flowers. The
waist, or vest, which is cut like habit
bodice, is an absolute novelty. 1t has 4
triangular shield in front, reaching from
the collar to the waist, with buttons and
buttonholes at each side. The whole
length is braided with gold braid and the
buttons are frosted. With it will be worn
plain beaver hat, not so high as the pre-
vailing style for men. Plain high hats.
Derbys and Fedoras. will be very popular
with ladies for street wear this season, it
is said Philadelphta Times.