Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06
sally popular. for the possession OK nis
''mug" would signify cash on hand ior
the possessor.
THE IDLE REPORTERe
ENGLISH WAlKlNC-DRESSeS.
Women Are DOwdy and the Men Smart
The Newest Thing In London.
written for the DIspatchJ


English women dress very little for
walking. and the streets do not present
the attractive appearance OF the fashion
able American avenues. Women really
walk much in London, but 1t is considered
rank extravaganza TO get new gown
for morning wear or for shopping. The
handsome tailor dresses are bought for
the races and their pretty toilets are
reserved for evening and visiting.
The bad weather and dirty streets are
probably accountable for the indifference
OF even fashionable women 10 their APP
pearance on foot. An American lady
living in the best set In London said
to me: Il am still American enough To
get good and really handsome street
costume. for | do like TO look nice when
j go out In the morning. but my English
friends think 1t absurd"
Occasionally one Is seen in smart
costume. covert coating and dark mixed
gray, preferably. The very newest thing
In London for walking dress Is black
specked with white, making an tron
gray, preferably. The very newest thing
plain, with the back of the collar faced
with dark gray velvet The new coat
Is not too long, with very full coat-skrt
In the back and cut off in front TO leave
a round waist. The skirt flares convent
entity at the foot and the back Is laid
In box plaits, which spring outward at
the bottom
But while the women are content 70
wear anything In the morning when on
foot the gentlemen are most carefully
groomed
The long frock coat. which we call
prince Albert" TO the confusion OF an
English tailor who does not know Il by
that name. the finely striped trousers.
the polished boots. the white gardena in
the coat-lapel. and the silk hat, IS the
universal dress of gentlemen, in both
morning and afternoon. II is even worn
70 business. although one sees OCCASION
ally the cutaway. a morning coat. and
sometimes a ''lounge suit" as n tweed
sack coat Is called.
II Is strange that so fral a thing as n
silk hat should be so much worn I'm such
treacherOus climate. but II is the badge
OF gentility. and IS said TO be so respected
that II Will obtain an audience for a hum
bic individual who would not he
permitted to enter the door in a derby.
In the constantly recurring rain and mist
constant care Is required 10 keep this deli
cate plumage unruhed. and the hat Is
ironed every day. and "a deal Of trouble
II Is. too" said a fashionable hat-maker.
'for we agree TO keep in order free of
charge. the hats We sell. and some gen
tlemen are so particular they drop in
twice a day to have them ironed while
they walt"
Apropos Of fashionable men, the new
spring overcoat is a dark gray mixture
i'm sort of tweed. in preference to light
tan. venetian cloth. and the Chesterfield,
with the plain back and dark gray velvet
collar. Is the usual shape.
There is a new top-coat, however. with
a fitted body and very long skirts. so
short waisted that a dlsrespectful Ameri-
can girl said II looked like an Empire
gown" This. In the tan racing coat.
with light velvet collar and cuffs, is an
extreme fashion, and looks right on the
right men. JEANNETTE HALE.