The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-15
A PASSING FANCY.

| A great mary journals all over the isni
| are actively discussing the question "a 10
| whether the bIoomer has come 70 stay
and they seriously ask II. in the develop
men. Of THE so-called new woman" move
1 rnent, the stage will finally be reached
when ali that man loves and adores IS to
/ bs equipped with hat. coat, vest. standing
collar, four-In-hand tie. knickerbOckers
and cane. II IS a question IN which both
sexes might be very much interested. II
there were the least probability OF the
time ever arriving when Il would be neces-
sary for a woman 10 decide between the
garment Of her mothers and the modern
masculine creation which Is now so highly
useful in cartoon and earicature. That
time is far distant. however, and the agi-
tation OF today. while It attempts 10 re-
main within the bounds OF seriousness. Is
irresistibly forced into the domain OF levity
and burlesque.
The whole discussion has really come
about in a very innocent way through
demand arising for comfortable attire
for women while riding the bicycle. The
men and women OF this country have gone
bicycle mad. Out OF this mania has been
evolved the most unique fashions for bi-
cycle costumes for women. IL started
with the shortened skirt, which in time
had 10 be divided, then forced to back
seat by the bloomer. which in turn is be-
ing superseded by elose-fitting knicker-
bockers and legglngs TO match. The de-
velopment has been rapid. and there ia
perhaps reason why some people should
stop and wonder how much further this
rather startling transformation is going
to proceed, and II II does not actually
mean the eventual assumption OF male at
tire by the women Of the land.
Novelties invariably awaken interest
and always attract until the newness has
worn Off. Something which is surprising
~ original. seemingly out of place or per-
haps offensive. becomes not only tolerated
but even fashionable when people are once
| accustomed toit. y company of wen-formed
young women in delicate silk fieshings do
not create much of sensation when, upon
the stage, they walk down a supposed
street OF Madrid TO the tuneful notes of
score OF guitars. yet IL the same young
and scantily-clad people were to prone
made down one OF the thoroughfares of an
American city the CONSERVATION would be
such as 10 cause riot and probably ne
cessitate call for the police, with
summonlng OF every patrol wagon belong
ing TO the municipality.
! The "up-to-date" bicycling costume at
| tracted considerable notice in the East
/ when It first burst upon the public view,
! but now 1t has grown to be something OF
/ an old story and is an object of little more
! attention than A green street car or a we'll
| groomed French poodle. So far as its tit
| ness for bicycle riding IS concerned it has
/ come 70 be commonly adjudged durable
! comfortable and sensible, and now that the
! people are accustomed TO It. they do not
/ think It is so dreadfully immodcst after
all
/ That this innovation IN dress VIII lead
/ finally 10 women's wearing trousers all
the time IS an idea too ridiculous for the
serious consideration Of any sensible man
/ or woman. We have a deep, underlying
sense OF what is right and proper which
cannot be dulled by any popular summer
| fad. and any innovation which might have
| a tendency 70 permanently destroy an
American womans charms Of refinement,
purity. grace and gcntleness viii never re-
ceiye any very cordial support IN a coun-
try where the standard OF womanh0od IS
so high. Centuries Of long dresses have
not prepared man to calmly turn his own
costume over 10 those whom he has been