Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-22

| gloves should be soft, pliable. and at least q
| quarter o. hale size larger than street gloves.
Heavy kid, dogskin, pigskin. or California
buckskin makes durable gloves. They should
be about a three or four-button length. Dark
] tan with heavy stitching on the back are the
| most popular. Jewelry should not be worn.
A light crop-bamboo is the toughest-with a
buckhorn, wood. or fancy metal crook, will
| complete this outfit, which has beauty neat
| ness, utility, and durability to recommend it.
MATERIAL FOR THE HABIT.
have omitted speaking of the material for
/ the habit until now. because I want to make a
special point of it.
Nothing that will brush wooliy or that is not
| closely woven. with smooth surface, should
ever be employed in making habit. The
| colors should never be pronounced-no decided
| greens. or blues. or browns-everything as
nearly black as possible, or else decided black.
Broadcloth does not make a serviceable habit.
II is too tender. Melton is by long odds the
best. 1t is as tough as steel, and comes in
| three weights for summer, fall and winter wear.
Corkscrew makes up well, but does not look as
fine as melton; and have seen some hand
some habits made of heavy stockinette. This
latter il a most desirable material for this pur-
pose its elasticity permitting greater freedom
of motion. A habit should never be made Of
material that will not stand rain and snow dust
and mud, and look as good as new after a Wig
orous brushing. For summer wear good dust
taking shades of gray very nice. but there
should be no decided checks or stripes-solid
colors. or sort Of pepper-and-salt effect being
in better taste.
Horseback riding requires special underwear,
too. First, a close-ftting vest of isle silk or
soft wool Over this soft perfect-itting cor
set, not too tight Instead of stockings and
drawers wear tights of silk or wool. 1t does
away with binding garters and twisting stock
ings. and the single garment feels ever SO much
neater and lighter. They fastened round
he Va lyt a gir
Some ladies have tights and vest made together,
and wear the corset over them. They are de-
Eghtful but rather expensive. while the tights
and vest separate answer the purpose as well.
THE COST.
The first cost of an outfit is considerable
where everything is Of the best quality, but
with good care the things will last long time,
gloves being the only item that requires fire.
quent renewing. The habit il made by a good
tailor will cost from $50 to S125; a silk hat, IS
to SO; derby hat. 81 to S. boots, s12 to S25
gloves, $3.50 to % pair; crop. 81 up. accord
ing to your taste and the size of your bank
account; corset, S1.5O to $40 or up; two silk
undershirts at %. so each; two pair silk tights,
IS or So each: or wooden tights. $3.50. II
you get the best of everything your expense
account will run over 500. Medium quality
will cost you between SIPS and $50 for the
outfit.
OF course there are some of these things you
can ulcptHse Win OF ccOnOInlZe On. nave
trousers made and don't wear boots. Get but
one hat and that derby, &c.
FOR A BEGINNER
who is going to learn to ride in a school these
things are unnecessary. In some of the most
fashionable schools in New York and in the
school at Washington many ladies take their
first lessons in an old jersey waist, long gath
cred skirt, and sometimes-shall I really tell
you?-a pair of their husbands or brothers
old trousers. all topped off with derby or a
cap. When you are learning to ride you have
no time to think of your clothes if you do
everything that your riding master tells you to.
Then. too, during the hours set apart for ladies
no gentlemen are admitted. and the other
ladies in the ring are apt to have as hap-hazard
costumes IS yourself; so there il nothing to
find fault with.
The natty dress of the city rider is a long
way beyond that of her less opulent country
cousin. but ten to one the country cousin. VINO
can throw q black calico or black paper muslin
skirt about two yards long and four yards wide
over her street dress, jump into an old two
horned, plush-covered saddle. and gallop away,
can outride and have more fun than the cor
in the country who cannot tell of riding 10 or
l. miles with a calico riding skirt and big
coat over their party clothes to a dance, and
there are lots and lots of girls who can relate
similar experiences with Frightening of the
eyes that shows what rare fun it was
Yet. after all. it doesn't matter a great deal
what you wear while you're in the saddle so
long you get the full benefit of that glorious
sport in rosy cheeks, bright eyes, supple limbs,
and good appetite, only don't dab on gew-
gaws and dress for effect. l.. A. L.