Wichita eagle., 1888-05-06

your top boots, breeches and "plnk," II you
90 in for fox hunting, will cost you as much
more. Why the scarlet fox-hunting coat
should be called "pink" is something not
even an Englishman, in whose country the
term originated, can explain. 1t Is q misuse
of the word totally without reason aud eX-
cuse, on a par with our misuse Of the con-
venient but exceedingly ridiculous "covert
coat which swept through dudedom hike
an epidemic few years ago. Those little,
light colored, short-tailed oyercoats, Silt up
the side, seams in the back, which were so
popular among q certain class of our jiunesS
dores were simply riding coats and nothing
more. Covert coats" they are called III
England. because it is the fashion to wear
them to the meet" and they are handed
over in charge of groom when the hard
riding begins.
They are no more appropriate for an
evening garment than top boots would be
and they are as much out of place over
dress suit as a flannel shirt would be at an
evening reception. Yet at the theaters, IN
the hotels and on Broadway you would see
hundreds of young fellows clad in them,
the tails of their under coats showing an
inch or two below the upper garment, and
inspiring the average beholder with an al
most uncomfortable desire to kick the
offending tails and the wearer out OF sight,
In the matter of ,iding costumes gentle
men are allowed much wider latitude
than ladies'. A silk hat, dark four-but-
toned cut-away coat and light gray trow-
sers cut rather full above the knee and
closely fitting the calf OF the leg, strapped
down over light patent leather shoes, are
without doubt the correct thing, but Derby
hats aud high riding boots, short hunting
boots and knee breeches are quite as COM
monty seen in the park Dark colors have
long been the rule for ladies' riding habits
and very dark blue, green and brown broad
cloths have had the call. This season, how
ever, l have noticed a marked tendency
toward lighter colors and mixed fabrics the
long skirts have been much abbreviated,
and the best ladies' tailors no longer make
trousers with the habits. Dark jersey tights
and dainty patent leather top boots having
taken the place Of the old -fas hioned trousers
strapped down over the shoes.
As have suggested, the average OF good
riders is larger among ladies than among
gentlemen. II Is the correct thing" 70
ride we'll, and, as q consequence, our fash
ionable girls are improving in health and
good looks Twenty years ago the girl VINO
could lift her horse over fiye-oarred gate,
pull good oar. play game Of tennis and
make a fair score at the clay pigeons WITT
rife would have been looked upon as hope
lessly unfashionable, and her buoyant spir-
its and sturdy health would have been III
dicative Of hopeless lack Of refinement IN
the eyes Of her friends. To-day the reverse
is true Happily the athletic girl Is in fash.
ton, and her weaker sister, who IL cursed
with nerves. has 70 take seat away In
the rear. Al Tuxedo, Newport, Lenox and
other fashionable resorts girls go In for rid
ing, tricycling, rowing, bowling, shooting,
as well ss for tennis and the more feminine
of the outdoor aTnusements. The result
Won can see any afternoon on Broadway,
Fifth avenue and in the park; generation
Of robust, 1.-the, graceful, wholesome young
women.
On these pleasant afternoons Of early
spring the park is full Of riding parties and
the carriages seem to be almost entirely
left To Old ladies' and invalids. Later IN the
season parties VIII be made up to 60 70
Tuxedo. Irvington and other points within
8 DAYS ride of the city. These equestrian
parties were very popular last year, and the
riding club was feature OF society life al
Lenox. With the rapid growth Of the
leisure class in New York, some means OF
healthful recreation becomes imperative,
and CUR society leaders, who are al more or
less tinged with Anglcrnsnia, naturally turn
70 England. where the social conditions are
to a certain extent similar, for the lead IN
the matter of aruscnents Though we
nav SCOT az the efforts OF American society
to follow In English tracks, there IS no
doubt that we owe 70 Angiornania the pres
en-. tendency toward outdoor sports ssh-
leucs and consequent good health, ten
oency for which all interested II tie wei
fare Of the rising generation should Dc
grateful ALLAN FoEXAX.