Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-29
FREAKS OF FASHION.
THEATRE WAIST AN ANON
ALOUS GARMENT.
Startling Changes i'm the Riding
Habit-The Skirt Reduced to
the Walking Length.


play. We have changed that, however,
within the past few seasons by the in
PRODUCTION of a rather anomalous gar
ment called the theatre waist.
1t Is a kind OF twin-sister to the "tea-
jacket All CAV colors and light fab
RIGS. ribbons, and laces and trimmings
are lavished upon one OF these waists
They are worn over plain, dark-colored
street skirts. and are concealed by the
wrap until the wearer is seated.
A STYLISH SPECIMEN.
Cne stylish example of a waist OF this
description noticed upon a lady who
formed one of the members OF a large
theatre party at an uptown house the
other evening was in pale-lined striped
silk, combining white, gold, pink, and
Nile green. There was wide frill OF
chiffon over the shoulders, edged with
lace, and drawing together on the brst,
a double labot OF the lace continuing the
front trimming to the edge of the gar
ment. The sleeves were pulled to the
elbows. with tight cuffs ending in lace
ruilies.
Another recent production for the
same purpose was in cream surah, with
gay little zouave jacket Of turquoise
blue velvet, finished with an edging of
gold braid and blue and white chenille.
One in black India silk had large sleeves
inserted OF plaided black, red, and yell
low silk, with a yoke OF the same q
broad ribbon Cirdle in vivid red about
the waist added very disiirc. contrast
to the black Of the body.
THE CHANGES.
Nothing in the entire category OF
dress has undergone such startling and
revolutionary changes IN recent years AS
the riding habit. Turn back TO the
fashion plates OF less than ten years
since, and look at the immense length
and fuiness Of the graceful skirt the
trim plainness OF the "hablt bodice, "
which then was the best-littiug garment
in n girls wardrobe, since the day OF the
ladies' tailor had not as yet dawned.
Mons OrOH chnngc fOW ciiO!
The first innovation was III the skirt,
which was cautiously tempered with
from season to season-no designer quite
daring a radical alteration until 1t
reached, some two or three seasons ago.
the walking length" English women,
trained to ride TO hounds and indulgng
in more or less reckless cross country
runs. have been meeting now and then
with serious accidents in the field. the
dangers Of which were immensely in
creased by the long habit skirt,
which, when the rider WAS thrown,
caught on the pommel and dragged
her at the horses feet. However,
until the first daring innovation
in the skirt above noted woman's equeS-
TRAN costume had been held sacred and
no attempts had been made to avoid I'M
necessary perils by changing the form OF
the skirt. Now We have - safety skirts
al. hJ. Sometimes the skirt consists OF
two aprons, altogether separate, fasten-
ing to tho waist before and behind.
These are 50 slightly attached that the
wearer on being thrown escapes from
them instantly and falls clear as man
would this, too, without such terrible
indecorum, for the cloth knickcrbockers
aud nigh boots she wears beneath would
scarcely form an immodest species OF at
tire il worn alone.
HABIT COAT.
The very latest ideas in rldlng-dreSs,
however. 60 further. The bodice issup'
planted in recent English habits by the
:'hsbit coat" One form of this gar
ment reaches about to the knees, fssten-
ed over a waistcoat like that worn with
the usual bodice. Below appear the
boots, and there is absolutely 10 separate
skirt-that is. when the habit is worn by
one of our more advanced equestrleunes.
1t is, however, by ladies OF less utllita-
rian ideas, sometimes supplanted 10y the
ordinary short skirt. In one model the
coat is lengthened to about tho length OF
a skirt and includes both garments IN
one.
The riding.coat is little longer than the
old-time, last century riding-coat worn
by gentlemen and is really altogethe
sensible for girls who are fearless riders
and jumpers and like to keep mp well
with the hounds. 1t is not such all ugly
garment, either, and the coquettlsh,
well-shapel, patcnt-leathcr rldlngboot
of the dav. with its morocco leg, 10 not
unworthy OF bearing the somewhat pro-
minent notice it is forced to meet Ia the
new order Of things.
THEIR UTMOST EFFORTS.
The ROYAL marriage at Sigmsrlnger
this month has called forth the utmost
efforts OF the great London modIstss,
with the result that many desirable mod
els are represented in tbe tronsseau OF
the Princess Marie. Among these, on,
of the gowns which is sure 20 be copied
or followed is dinner dress OF cream
satin. shot with pink. The bodice Is cul
low in front in the form OF square
having very slight point below. He
shoulders are, however, fully covered
and the sleeves are III huge puiis OF The
satin. These, as well as the corsag'
opening, and the bottom OF the skirt, are
edged with superb embroidery OF seec
pearls, gold thread and velvet roses
The skirt is IN trdiHe and there IS loid
ed girdle OF turquoise velvet.
VARIOUS FASHION NOTES.
The coming spring is to be "viole'
season." Already the vogue appears u
millinery, and the new challles ano
lawns. etc., display a marked preference
for violets, both blue and white IN theu
floral designs.
Dove.gray is not one OF the mos
effective of evening colors. but 1t IS on'
of the most in use just at present .,
Skirts are already being lined witt
crinoline. This is forerunner OF the
future hoops are already in sight. -.
TURQUOISE blue is one OF the iavorit'
hues OF the year
The 1880 bridal gown has been sect
at several recent stylish weddings. /
has d certain quaintness about 1t that
not unpleasant, and it varies the eterna
monotony OF nuptial attire-a poweriu
argument in its favor
Among the numerous purple SHADES
that are being used petunia is one o
those most frequently seen.
In handsome evening fans the lac
body of the fan seems repeated IN TN
intricate and beautiful cutting OF I'LL
combined ivory and pearl sticks.
The Russian night gown is square