The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-06-20
THE COMING LEGLETTE.
They Are Worn by Thousands of Ladies.
They Are Superior to Petticoats, and
Give More Limb Freedom.

4NSS arc SupcIIoi ~ StIlSotiLo, ahu
Give More Limb Freedom.
Among the questions oftenest asked US
is: "Why are leglettes better than petit
coats?" Any garment that clothes the
legs with regard for their separate neces-
sites is better than one which ignores
individua! rights to warmth and freedom.
Ones two legs are two distinct members,
and each demands the courtesy of recog-
milton independent of its fellow. Custom,
which formerly compelled both men and
women to wear petticoats, has been over
ruled in mans case by the growing
necessity for freedom Of motion in the
active walks Of life, and the result Of this
evolution is mans present tolerably con-
venient if not wholly beautiful garb.
The same reasons that led to mars
adoption of the bifurcated garment hold
good in woman's case; ease and safety IN
locomotion, warmth and convenience.
An aggregation OF petticoats does not
give the warmth that one pair Of well
fitting and appropriately thick leglettes
will give for cold winter weather, for the
reason that the air circulates freely under
the petticoats, which is impossible with
a garment which fits each leg, and one
therefore gets minimum of weight with
o maximum of warmth by wearing leg
lettes. The resistance of the outside
dress skirt against the instep and keep IN
walking is tiresome when leglettes are
worn, but with petticoats the strain upon
certain muscles becomes so great as to
induce disease and suffering oftentimes.
In wet weather the bottom of the leg
lettes, which should not come below the
boot tops, do not get wet as do ones
petticoats, and consequently there is less
danger from exposure to colds: again,
the leglettes leave one comparative free
dom of movement, so that in case of
accident it is much easier to extricate
ones self from danger than where many
skirts are worn; in short, the leglettes
are step in the right direction, though
We do not argue that any style of dress
which admits the long walking skirt
coming below the knee is perfect. All
progress is, however, comparative, and
the leglettes are so far superior to petit
coats that the most conventional woman
who gives these garments a trial will
forever after sing their praise.
1t is a mistake to say that leglettes have
few adherents; many thousands Of women
are at this very time wearing leglettes,
and no petticoats under their gowns, and
no one the wiser for it. Alta recent grand
dinner, a lady magnifciently clothed in
an ultra fashionable evening robe of
white MORE and the richest of lace
draperies, whispered to us: 81 am in a
state of bliss, for the leglettes which l
have on at this moment are simply per
feet; no more petticoats for me. :"
We are sometimes asked whether we
advocate dress similar to mans as the
correct one, and we can reply 'sno" most
emphattically. 1t is impossible to
even guess at present time what the
future dress of women will be something
which takes cognizance Of legs for per-
sons engaged in active duties. For house
wear gowns with long and flowing effects
will probably always remain in favor, and
it is well that they should, for nothing
could be more graceful or elegant than q
softly clinging gown for house OF
evening toilet; but we do not believe that
working women, who are compelled to
trudge through rain and shine. through
summers sun and winters SHOWS, will
eternally go about carrying yards and
yards OF meaningless material in their
hands, or tolerate soiled and wet skirts
hanging against the shivering and rebel
lious pedals. Good sense must in time
come to the rescue and assert itself in g
way to silence carping and false modesty.
How soon? That we do not presume to
say; perhaps not in your day, reader, but
long before earth rolls her last woman
off into space and becomes again barren
waste.