Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-24
FAIR SEX ON WHEELS
A Few Practical Hints on Proper Costume
for Riding.
The Style of Dress for Certain STYLES
of GfrIs-The Best COlOrs-
BlOOmers.
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
The popular prejudice against a woman's
riding a wheel. 80 prevalent year or SO
entirely. And 1t is beyond doubt an es-
tablished fact that the bicycle brings out
nany charming characteristics strictly
feminine. OF course. as in everything else,
there are exceptions to the general rule,
and the costume and the woman have a
great deal to do with the impression given
by the tout ensemble. Some women do not
have to mount wheel to appear ridicu-
lous and vulgar at any time and under the
most favorable conditions.
If woman is naturally homely and I'M
graceful, she Is apt to be anonymously out
of place on a wheel; but If she be pretty
and full of grace and dons a chic costume
shes could not appear to better advan-
tage. try as she might.
But not one woman In a dozen knows
how to select suit which will be easy,
graceful and stylish, as well as durable.
OF course the daughters of fortune need
not wrinkle their pretty brows very much
on this score for an order at their tailor 8
will procure them all that is desired on
short notice.
For Short and Tall Women.
A short woman makes a great mistake in
wearing ar abbreviated skirt and large
sleeves. She would appear to a much bet
ter advantage in long divided skirt and
a waist made of some SOFT light material;
while. on the other hand. a tall we'll
formed girl looks exceedingly we'll In a
full. round skirt made Of light covert cloth,
lined with bright silk, and reaching to the
top of irreproachable brown leather shoes.
With this can be worn tight-fftting
Jacket, minus stays, and lined with the
same shade OF silk the skirt. so, If de-
sired, the jacket can be thrown open, re-
yealing soft silk waist. Sleeves should
never be stiffened, as a full sleeve. with
which the wind can have full play, tends
to make the rider appear more graceful.
For petite women jockey caps, or, in more
approved manner. golf caps, are most be-
coming, but for Juno's daughters always
something striking or severe, II possible.
An alpine made of the same cloth as the
suit, or a jaunty Tam O'Shanter, with a
shaded wing on the side, is very pretty.
A Stylish Costume.
One Of the most stylish, as we'll as dur
able costumes, I have seen, was worn by a
very tall and handsomely formed brunette
at a fashionable northern resort. 1t was
made of coarse tow linen. The skirt,
which just revealed her ankles. was plain.
but very full, falling in folds. The waist
was made blouse effect, hanging in loose
of Scotch plaid silk The full bishop sleeves
were finished with turn-back cuffs of the
plaid. With this costume was worn a Tam
O'Shanter Of the linen, with two variegated
quilts at the side. Brown shoes and stock
1rgs and brown suede gloves completed
this fin de steele maid, rendering her the
observed of all Observers and queen of at
least one bicycle fete.
Brown. of a light shade. whether in light
weight or heavy material is the color
nd
durability. Black and blue find from ex-
perience are to be abominated.
Bloomers.
I have not said a word about 5loomers!
No, for the less said on that subject the
better. I have never heard a man speak
in favor of them, and hope never shall.
will warrant there are not many men
who would care to see their mothers. wives.
sweethearts and sisters rugged up in any
such manner.
I was walking up fashionable avenue
the other evening when my attention was
attracted to group Of men by their laugh
Ing in a loud and boisterous manner.
Imagine my surprise and disgust to see
sitting in their midst a woman dressed
from the waist up precisely like man,
and from the waist down, for that matter.
for she wore boomers. Her legs were
crossed, and she was evidently having a
thoroughly enjoyable time. I was only Sur
haps. If had passed there again I would
have been satisfied on that score, 1t was
all that was needed to complete the picture.
No. girls, ride your wheels to your hearts
content, it will tighten your spirits and
bring color into your cheeks, but do rot
ever let your children or grandchildren say
their mother or grandmother wore bloom
ers. M. B. L.