Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1894-06-21


and if they think anything at all about
them they may notice how decorous
and pretty they are and how admirably
we'll suited they are to the occasion
The bloomer costume came too soon.
1t had to wait until the bicycles arrived
to find its own particular sphere In its
day it was Knocked. hooted at, cried
down as indecent, immodest and given a
score or more of unpleasant names, but
now. behold the once despised bloom
er costume finds its place in the fashion
chronicles Of the day 1t is for once
the right thing in the right place. and
its sphere Of usefulness could be en-
larged by wearing it in the mountains
and in sloppy weather.
When bicycles became "safeties, -
then girls were privileged to ride them
Mark the thoughtful if rather stern
kindness of fathers and brothers who
forbid such means of locomotion until
they were safe and be thankful that sex
is no bar to this pleasant and graceful
exercise. 1t always was pleasant after
one learned. but it was scarcely grace
ful for girl in long skirts The skirt
had to be narrow. so as not TO blow
about and impede the motion of the
wheels, and so it always had scant
and skimpy effect. and it somehow
served to point moral against itself aa
skirt.
Things are different today The bicy-
Gle girls now 60 to the clubhouses with
81 90, fo&1 81, l.k
generally the most captious critics re-
garding their sisters appearance. and
there they congregate, and it is genu-
inc pleasure to mark their easy move
ment and air Of comfort in their new
club suits AS nearly as can tell, there
is no regular uniform, but the majority
of the suits are dark blue, dark brown,
black or green, but there are more blue
suits than all the others combined To
begin with, the model Of these bicycling
suits. There is one model in a sort of
brownish gray, with a blazer of ex-
tremely neat and fashionable make-one
that could do duty on Fifth avenue if
need be- This was worn over waist of
black surah, with large surah bow at
very full Turkish trousers fastened just
below the knee, over CATERS to match.
There was cap of the same material as
the suit. with black leather visor and
gray dogskin gloves.
Another really elegant cycling suit
was made Of priestley silk warp henriet-
ia, the kind that sheds the dust so we'll
The trousers were very full and fastened
with straps and buckles just below the
knee over the black cloth CATERS, or leg
gings, as some call them Above the
trousers there was skirt reaching
nearly to the knee, not very full, but
still not scant This was belted in with
a stiff velvet covered belt There was
full waist of henrietta, which has a
luster almost as high as all silk goods
with richness entirely its own, and
over this was short Eton jacket made
Of the same material, but sleeveless. The
waist had medium bishop sleeve. To
this was added a cap with a visor,
These two styles were the basis on
which all other cycling suits are now
made. They are those with trousers and
blazer only, and trousers with skirt
and jacket, though the jacket can be re-
placed with a blazer if so desired. Some
prefer the blazer. The blue suits are
stitched plainly, and, in fact. almost all
the suits made for this purpose are very
slightly trimmed. as the object is more
to have safe, genteel and unebtrusive
costume. Several ladies have their cy-
cling costumes made Of cravanette, and
this is an excellent idea, as it is rain
and dust proof. while being light and
porous The only difficulty Is its first
cost, for it is quite expensive goods, but
one should remember that it is 81 inches
wide and requires very few yards for
suit, and that it will outlast any five
other suits except the silk warp henriet-
ia, which is given away to the poor, but
never wears out It is given away be-
cause one gets tired Of having one dress
SO long. Serge and cheviot make the