The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-22
BIcTcie Dress.

So much has been said and written upon
proper dress for women who ride the
wheel that any one who is not prac-
tical cyclist might be pafcoued fcei-
ing of bswilierment. French. English,
and American papers have all haG great
deal 10 say upon this mucli-clscusse0
question, some Of them advocating ex-
trenes that would be more appropriate
for an opera-boufe queen than Tor
sensible woman who wished to take her
exercise In a sensible manner.
The underlying principles Of correct
dress for the wheel are comfort and ap-
propriateness. The carrying out OF these
rrincipes need In no sense conflict with
good taste or merge into conspicnousness
There is perfect freedom In skirt. pro-
vded the skirt is made as II should be-
The woman who rides IS obliged not
only to dress with due regard to her
appearance when mounted. but also
should exercise the same care In regard
TO an attractive and inconspicrous APP
pearance when she d,smounts at the door
Of her friends house, the store, or TO
enter a hotel. or wherever her faithful
wheel may take her, on business or
pleasure bound.
The fundame ntal principle OF comfort
for a whselvoman lies in the underwear.
Corsets should never be worn under any
circumstances. Neither is 1t desirable TO
ride without any support for the body,
especially II the rider is inclined TO stout
ness. An equipoise waist from which the
homes have been removed is the best sub
stitute for the corset as then the muscles
are allowed to have full play and are not
CONSTRUCTED in any way. Union underwear
is now worn so universally that it would
seem almost unnecessary to recommend
Il; but upon the wheel it becomes almost
a necessity. doing away with much I'M
pleasant thickness around the hips.
A pair Of full Turkish trousers, made Of
black India silk. will be found an admi-
rabe substitute for the pettcoat.
If preferred equestrian tights are also
extremely comfortable. Leggings are
stiff and uncomfortable adtuncts. and
are not necessary. They interfere with
the ankle notion" which should be Gull
tivated by every woman who Wishes TO
ride gracefully.
For summer wear. low shoes and ankles
covered with smooth black stockings are
the most comfortable.
The form OF the skirt Is by far the
most important Fart of the wheelwomau's
dttifS. 1T SiiDbtu ffdit iiShi tht H1ifS, ~
as not TO hoop around the ankles or
bind across the knees.
The skirt should clear the ground about
four inches. and be lined with silk or
satin TO prevent clinging. An Etor Jacket
or habit waist, as che prefe,s makes a
natty end feminine adjunct 10 the skirt.
This cen be exchanged on warm days for
the ever-popalar shirt waist Of cambrtc
or silk.
Given a wheel properly adirsted for her
height and weight ami a few gsr.ra; d.
rections In regard to dress, any woman
with ordinary intelligence and taste may
rest assured that In riding cycle she is
doing nothing which detTacts from her
dignity or personal appearance, but, on
the contrary, SHE can, by exercising her
good taste and never losing sight Of the
principle of appropriateness. soon liz (.
herself in the full enjoyment OF a pastime
not only unsurpassed for its life-givlng
quoiii'es, but which viii prove itself TO
lie Veritable Fountain Of Beauty.--I.ar-
pers BaZar.