Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-03
DEsPIsEs CUSTOM.
A Decidedly Original Costume adopted
BY Charming Equestrienne'
Ne,n York Continent.

NelC York Comment.
Although dead and forgotten so lar
as the originatorS are concerned, the
Ienness- Miller innovation in riding hao-
IFS. made some months ago, seems yet
to hear fruit, says the Rider and Driuer.
A young Spanish woman, Qrlgnt ana
vivacious in manner, graceful ana PROUD
in bearing, is one of the sights OF the
Park lust now, as she rides along, I'M
accompanied by any one except her hus-
band. attired in a habit of her own in
ventlon.
1t is said, no doubt with more or less
truth that she couId not obtain other
cavaliers than her spouse, despite her
beauty and charms, owing TO the uncon-
ventional style of her apparel. A de-
scription of the costume makes 1t out as
cross between the conventional riding
habit for women, a conventional walk
ing skirt. a pair of Turkish trousers and
a mans riding suit.
When dismounted and standing upon
the ground, the little Spanish lady pre-
SCENTS a most picturesque appearance.
Indeed. there is something very tempt
ing about the tight-fitting bodice and
kilt-plated skirt, which, when she
takes a step, flies apart, disclosing un-
derneath the unmentionableS usually
affected by men. To speak more
plainly, her Turkish trousers, thickly
wrinkled at every inch of their length,
and banded at the knee with piece OF
black elastic, are then fully displayed.
In such costume as this, riding
astride the horse is the natural mode,
and at the same time comfortable and
safe. And, quite contrary to eXpecta-
ton, there is less exposure of the figure
than is made by the ordinary tight-tiit-
ting riding habit. The skirt falls down
on each side so as to entirely conceal
the Turkish trousers, to which the skirt
is fastened with hooks and eyes in such
manner that the strongest wind can
not disarrange it.
Laying aside all arguments for or
against the moral side of riding astride,
it would seem that with costume as
the practice of riding in that manner
might become generally adopted. "A
woman is much safer on horse in such
a position, much more comfortable, and
enabled to exercise every portion OF the
body rather than only certain parts, as
is more or less the case when riding
with sidesaddle. OF course, there is
no likelihood that such pronounced
reform will be adopted at present, yet
the subject is nevertheless an interest
ing one and may afford some insSruc-
tion.
Quite contrary to the natural suppo-
Sition, the Spanish lady attracts no eX-
traordiuary attention, although she
does create some surprise when stand
ing, and the wind blowing apart the
plaits in her skirt, discloSes the fact
that she is, like her brothers, provided
with two legs.
There is no indelicacy about such an
exposure, for the reason that the Turk
ish trousers are of such ample proper
tionS as to entirely obscure the lines OF
the body. Still, the lady says she has
the utmost difficulty in getting horse
from any one of the riding academies,
so fearful are the proprietors OF those
establishments that some Of their rigor-
ously conventional patrons may turn up
their faStidious noses and lend their
patronage elsewhere. And the riding
mast 4rs, so sensitive are they, cannot be
hired to accompany the lady, even when
supported on the right flank by her hus-
band.
The lady does not mind all these petty
aunoyances, feeling that she is comfort
able and safe in her mode of riding and
that she is not without the admiration
Of sensible men and women.