St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-26

substitution of natural lines for artl-
| fetal. The severe simplicity of the
bodice in tailOr-made costumes natur-
ally drew attention to the bulky charac-
ter of the skirt. To reduce this bulk,
according to the authority quoted, pro-
gressive woman began to hang her
petticoats around the bottom of her cor
sets instead OF around her waist. This
resulted in Simmer and more graceful
lines. But still she was not salts
fed. Another uDdergarment. which
IS usually mentioned in the
same breath with the petticoat,
was dropped down to similar
position. This change gave a great
deal of satisfaction until the progress
slve spirit demanded something further.
One dav the pettlcoat was dropped alto
gether and the hustle was banished to
the, top shelf, and so the process of
undraping and disrobing from the
foundation outward proceeded. The
foundations were undermined, SO to
speak, and the superStructural skirt
caved in to its present clinging dimen-
SionS.
After the petticOat the other garment
to which reference has been made. was
put aside and tights-silked tights. such
as the chorus girls in comic opera
twinkle for the delight of the bald
headed gentlemen in the front row
were substituted. The lines of the
skirt were drawn as tightly as possible
and the present startling fashion was
the result
Where matters will end it is of course
difficult to say. l he present fashion is
some relation of the famous pull-back
dress of ten or fifteen years ago. This.
OF course, came from England, and it is
said that certain unconventional women
there were in the habit of coloring their
costumes so as to emphasize the tightly
drawn lines. They would wear, for eX-
ample, dress of black velvet, fronfed
with pink silk from the throat to the
feet. and as this pink silk responded to
every movement of the limbs, it was
difficult to say, at a distance, whether or
not member of burlesque troupe had
come out on the street in her stage cos
tune. There is, of course. no indica-
ton here of any such developments as
this, but it will be interesting to note
whether or not the women will be able
to draw the line any differently or any
more sensationally than they do at
present.
1t may easily be imagined that the
fair creatures whom nature has not
generously endowed and the lines of
whose figures are straight and angular
IdllleT tiail curved nave regarded this
gradual process of undraping with a
good deal of secret horror. They were
very much III the position of the shop
keeper who didn't want to take down
his shutters because he had nothing in
his windows likely to attract attention.
But the process of undraping went on
among the army of women all the same.
and something had to be done. Those
who had no lines in their figures to
show had to provide lines before they
could show them. Just as a chorus
Girl provides an exquisite contour
for her limbs before she draws on her
tights. The women's outfitter came to
the rescue of the angular woman. OF
course, there is no direct proof that false
and beautiful lines are supplied at the
shops. but it is asserted that just as
magnificent rats of hair and alabaster
necks were once for sale, so now horse
hair devices and inflated rubber hips
may he securedby those who need them.
A story is told of summer girl with
glorious lines and aMiSchevous brother
who stuck apin in her one night Willie
she was prOmenading the hotel piazza,
whereupon her lines collapsed and her
costume fitted her no more. But this is
probably a story and that is all.