St. Paul daily globe., 1891-04-19

failures, the devotee of the knicker-
booker sits down and resignedly puts
on her trousers in the most unmanly
sort OF way, registering silent VOW
to never Initiate her husband again in
the method of donning his attire.
One OF our most prominent actresses
sent me an invitation to lunch with her
few days ago, and when | was ushered
into her cosy dining room she came for
ward to greet me in an exquisite suit
OF knickerbockers; and although
had seen her in all of her famons i'm
presentations, she was more Irresistible
in trousers than in any role she ever
assumed behind the footlights; and she
told me that she was so much in love
with the costume that her manager was
arranging a play wherein she would
nave an opportunity to show the New
York public how well she looks in
knickerbockers.
A woman IN knickerbockers can go
out III the most severe weather and re-
turn without any fear of pneumonia or
bronchitis, because she will not be
weighted down by wet and bedraggled
skirts. Her gown, which she wears over
her trousers, she can readily manage,
and she comes back from her walk in
the snow or rain not only clean but dry,
burdened with petticOats.
Then, from an economical standpoint.
the laundry bill, for instance. is some
thing to be considered.
The trousers and waists being made
of velvet, silk, or, for that matter, cloth,
are not included in the wash list and
the SILK tights and stockings, even if
changed three or four times a day,
would scarcely make such an inroad
upon the pocketb0ok as the multitude
of skirts are In duty bound to do if one
wishes to be immaculate.
Those who cannot afford to indulge
in sllken underwear can buy fine woollen
garments at any dry goods store in the
city that Will answer the same purpose,
and are far more durable and equally
comfortable and healthy. So, if one is
disposed, they can dress in knicker-
bockers, and daintily too, for one-fourth
what it costs to make decent appear
ance in gowns.
AT the same time there is plenty of
opportunity to be eXtravagnnt in the
choice of trousers, for they can be made
OF the finest velvetS and silks and
richly embroidered up the side of each
leg, and finished with ruff1e of rare old
lace at the bottom, which is worth its
weight in gold many times over.
One of the most beautiful of the mar
ried bellies in society has some of her
finest jewels set as buttons, which
adorn the sides of her trousers, three
on each leg being the regulation num-
Der. For her white velvet knicker-
bockers she has large sapphires set in
etruscan gold, while the fiery opal
CLEANS from her black velvet trouSer
legs; but that is going to extremes, and
few would care to indulge in such a
costly whim, even if their jewel case
was replete with gems.
She also has natty little cap made to
match eevery isuit, which sets off her
short blonde curlS to perfection.
knickerbockerS make women look ten
years younger.
The class of women who would be
most benefited by trousers are the shop
girls who are obliged to stand all day in
their wet and muddy skirts.
1t does not follow that a woman wants
to vote because she wears trousers; in
fact, IL is an exception, not the rule,
when she does. The most charming,
best educated, and without doubt the
most refined women in the city wear
knlckerbOckerS, yet | venture to say
they have never thought of such a
thing.
That the time will ever come when
trousers are worn openly upon the
street without the gown over them
doubt, i'll fact, sincerely trust that such
may never be the case; but for the
house there is every reason why they
should prove the favorite costume, for
they are not only exceedingly becoming,
but conducive to good health, and
therein ought to lie the ultimate tri-
umph of knickerbOckers.
CHANCIE De WITT.