The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-09

general public conceived its interest In the
bathing suit in the beginning, and how, lav-
Ing conceived an interest, it is able to main
tain it. The bathing suit is, when you come
to observe it, such mild and inoffensiye
and innocent and even commonplace piece
of apparel.
The Newport bathing suit, as I observed
IL when the tide was coming in, and the sky
was gloriously blue ard there were boats
with white sails far out at sea, consists of
pair of long black stockings and little black
corked-soled shoes. Above this comes some
sort of a combination suit Of blouse and
trousers, always trinity cut, but never in
any degree sensational, being dark in color,
high in the neck and with sleeves reaching
at least to the elbow, and provided with a
skirt to the knees. The prcttiest suits. and
those which give a certain pQuancy to the
prospect, have rolling collars of scarlet or
orange or light blue, with perhaps bright
cap and a girdle. have seen one woman
bathing in pure white, but for light colors,
or any gayety of apparel, one has to try
NarraganSett Pier where on Thursday it
suited me to watch for a couple of hours
the kicking and the splashiRg and thestrug-
Cling and the chattering and where there
were low Decks and short sleeves and re
stockings, and yet where any reasonably
SpectS entirely comfortable.
There was one fine swimmer with dark
red dripping locks under which looked out
pair of flashing blue eyes. who wore quite
an elaborate costume of white serge, cut to
show TO advantage full white throat and
two magnificent arms. A blue hat, blue
stockings and blue girdle of heavy gOld-tas-
seled cord went to finish very striking but
entirely modest costume a bit of a blonde
who couldn't swim a all, but who was max
in Ia off RI laor
red suit that was worth some attention.
Her stockings were black, her little oilskin
cap was edged with black. a black band
5ordered her shoulders. setting off their
fairness, and her arms emerged from short
black sleeves.
Many OF the costumes were Of silk, and
these, without doubt, show the figure more
plainly than does one of flannel or serge,
but there is an excellent reason for the sub
sttutlon, IN that the silk is so much lighter
than WOODEN fabric and does not hold the
water. The girl who rides, plays tennis,
climbs mountain or exercises in gymna-
SUM Is privileged to have special and appro-
pirate costumes to do il in, and the girl who
bathes, especially if she is the girl who
swlms, must have her arms and legs free
and be as little burdened as possible. Bare
arms aud feet are not immOdeSt In the water,
and the old meal bags suits were not only in
convenient but dangerous. Nine girls in
every ten take to the friendly shelter of long
bathing cloaks, when in dripping and clinging
garments they emerge from the water be-
tween the long lines Of staring spectators,
and so did not feel myself called upon to
pretend to any especial horror of pale vel.
low surah, braided in blue, even though its
Wearer was incOnSideTate enough to be
pretty, to be blonde to wear blue silk ker-
chief twisted about her curly locks after the
fashion of Creole turban. and to wear her
back hair in long Marguerite braids.
There was one suit in striped black and
white surah that was very pretty on the
had it on. Under her broad white bathing
hat with its black trimmings. showed the