Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-03-20
THE Wal. KING SKIRT.
Giving Way to the More Popular Outin
Garmeut


Garment.
There is no doubt that the bicycle has
had marked effect on costumes of al
sorts and on the general wardrobe Of
the average woman.
IL am going away next summer tc
have good time," says the young girl
"andrI am not going to be bothered
with SO many frills and furbelows ant
fancy dresses as l have always had tc
carry abo1t with me. ! am going te
have just the SWEETEST bicycle costume
and a second-best for stormy days anc
off occasions, sort of toilet under
study, MS it were. l am going to have
o skirt of black satin or silk and
travelling dress, then l want some
pretty waists, and suppose absolute
ly must take an evening drss or two
but two is the limit. like dancing
very much better in an ordinary skirt
with pretty waist, and great many
of us are of the same mind"
And this girl voiced the sentiments
of large number of American women
The skirt, the fancy waist and the BIZ
cycle costume fill a great many of the
needs of existence. The black or dark
skirt means a silk petticoat and No
white draperies to worry about.
A tidal wave of sense about skirts
seems to be rolling in about us. We
positively refused crinoine; we COM
promised on wide skirts, with hair
cloth and paper stuffs. Now we are
getting tired of these, and while op
skirts must have something to make
them stand out, we are cutting them
shorter for ordinary wear, and are the
gamers by it,
This necessitates extra care as to
foot gear, and some of the shoes for the
coming season are works of art.
1t is a shame to hide all these pretty
shoes with trailing dresses; besides
the long skirts spoil the shoes by Gov
ering them with dust and dampness,
which is fatal to fine leather.
There is another point which is less
talked about, although actually the
most important of all, and that is the
sanitary effect of sweeping draperies,
Women are beginning to learn that the
dust of public streets is neither whole
some nor safe to take home, therefore
the slightly abbreviated skirt and
handsome shoes.
There is already springing up Il
rivalry among women as to who shall
be the best shod; that is, the most in
accord with health and gracefulness,
and all of this with an eye to the finest
materials and the best workmanship
My lady's shoemaker is selected with
quite as much care as her dressmaker
and in view of the present tendency
to exercise and indulge in out-of-door
sports, his mission is quite as impor
tant as any of her other interests.
Smooth-surfaced goods are TO super.
sede all of the crimpy and crapy stuffs
that have been the rage for some time
past. OF course, this change will not
take place suddenly, but it is looming
up in the not very distant future.
The new skirts are lined with fine
percaline or silk, and few of then
have haircloth inner Innings, but lighter
skirts with the haircloth petticoats
are preferred by ladies who have many
costumes. A perfectly-fitted hairclotl
petticoat with silk ruffles is thought tc
preserve the individuality of style thai
many women seem to cling to.
Il always know Miss A by thu
hang of her skirts" said one lady tt
another. And when Miss As skirt,
were critically noticed, the reason was
evident. The hang and curves ant
lines were perfect.
An effort is being made to decreas,
the weight of skirts, and this is bes
done by fine and light Innings, and The
use of underslxirts that give the spread
ing effect that is considered necessary
10 present styles.-N. Y. Ledger.