The Wahpeton times., 1891-10-15
!: THE WoHAN's SPHERE, '
MATTERS OF SPECIAL INTER-
EST TO THE LADIES.
Latest Freaks Of Fashion--The
Nineteenth Century Woman--
Danger In Fans--The Value
OF Onions--FauIts Of the
Walking Skirt.
Latest Freaks Of Fashion.


ground for all walking dresses. Some
OF these shortened skirts have seams
piped with velvet, galloon, or fur,
while others ara in the new widened
shapes, less scant ut the top than
formerly. and with pleats in the back
set in clusters at the belt, or in q
broad box pieat that flares gradually
wider to the foot. Elastic straps
hold the pleats in place.
Belted waists with yokes and plas-
irons are in us great favor with
tallors as with dressmakers. They
also show princesse gowns. some
fastened in the back, others with coat
fronts, and still others crossing
diagonally. But. above all else, they
make the legitimate tailor bodice, the
coat in all it's varieties, as the long
tail coat, the short French coat, the
becoming shape with corselet front
and coat back, and the simple and
familiar riding-habit bodice, which is
always in favor for morning and
travelling dresses. Sleeves OF moder-
ate fulness at the top and closely
buttoned on the forearm are preferred
Tor most tailor gowns.
y smooth cloth gown of chataigne
brown has IL pointed corselet front
buttoned Oh the left, with guimpe and
collar cut all in one OF pink and brown
striped cloth. Thesimple sleeves are
Of plain pink cloth, with deep striped
cuffs. The French skirt OF brown cloth
is entered by u slit on the left trim
med with buttons, andfthcre is Il wide
striped border around the loot. Vel
vet are much used with chevron-
striped wool skirts, notably one OF
mole e-skin-colorcd velvet made us a
short French coat with boX-pleated
back. The front opens on q smooth
vest OF blue WOO, with the pointed
shevron stripes in mole-color. Allthe
edges OF the coat are bound with Per-
elan lamb-skin. The sleeves are OF
the wool, also the skirt, which is
straight i'll front, the stripes meeting
III deep VS. while the great breadth OF
the back is laid in triple box pleat
that flares IN bell shape. Such gowns
are also made with n coat OF green
velvet, and wool skirt of black with
green chevrons. Princess gowns OF
black camel's-hair are braided with
black and gold to represent q yoke,
glrdle, and pointed hip pieces, and are
given ftllness in the back OF the skirt
by velvet breadths that make slight
demi-train.
Lowcrowned felt lfatsto wear with
simple tailor gowns have soft brims OF
long-napped beaver, without wire and
quite straight, and turned up far back
on the left side. These are girlish and
pretty in black or blue trimmed with
navy blue plush, with facing OF bright
geranium red loosely folded around
the crown, the end taken up on the
left so that it's vivid red will sleam
through a great panache of black
feathers.
For middle-aged ladies are English
walking hats and boat-shaped hats of
black felt, with large double-looped
bow of black velvet on the crown, a Jet
ornament in front, and long ostrich
plume passing close along each side to
meet III the back. A more youthful
hat is quite round, with the brim
slightly turned away from the face,
and slit open at the side, where it is
held by q bow OF velvet much lighter
than the felt. Small black ostrich tips
are then curled outward all around
the crown, and larger tips are mount
ed high on one side quite far back.
Faults of the Walking Skirt.
The most striking feature about the
so-called walking skirt is that it is
quite unsuitable for walking. In
windy weather it blows into unbecom-
ing shapes and tangles ones feet and
ankles. In dry weather it gathers to
itself from the ground dust and dirt of
all kinds. In wet weather it becomes
muddy and wet, conveying mud and
dampness to the boots and apparel OF
the wearer, thus causing colds and
serious illness among persons forced
to be out of doors for any length of
time on wet days, or keeping women
indoors who ought to be out on busi-
ness or for exercise.
This so'called walking skirt is so ar
ranged that it is impossible with one
hand gracefully to lift it clear at all
points Of ones boots and the ground;
hence. careful souls struggle between
regard for their clothes and the desire
to avoid that undue exposure of the
boot and stocking caused by holding
the skirt on one side too high. The
grabbing OF the so-called walking skirt
by both sides, though ungraceful, is,
perhaps, sensible, but is generally
also impossible, because OF bundles,
umbrellas or other lmpediments.
The so-called walking skirt is
the reverse OF economical, requir-
ing, on account OF it's length,
constant repairs or renewal; it is
heavy and hot in warm weather; it is
heavy, without being a protection
from cold, in winter weather-in
short, the so-called walking skirt is
calculated to diminish
the strength OF the strong woman,
and from the weak to take away the
strength she hath.
Is not this same skirt worthy of
the reformer's steel, and now that
woman is free in so many ways to
choose sensible methods Of dressing,
should not the reformer's attention
be directed especially to the length OF
the walking skirt, which fashion still
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