The Republican journal., 1896-06-18
Bicycle Costumes.

Bicycling is to be more the fashion than
ever at the watering places, and at least
two bicycle costumes must needs be pro-
vided for summer wear--one of serge,
cheviot, OF covert cloth for cool days, and
one of linen, Russian crash, OF the why
material that looks like hair cloth, or per
haps white duck, for the hot weather.
The skirts must not be too wide, for I'M
necessary fulness is not only annoying,
as it blows back into the wheel if there is
the slightest wind, but also is very ugly
and ungraceful. The fulness must be quite
at the back, and over the hips the skirts
must fit closely. The flare must be around
the bottom of the skirt only; and in the
wash materials this is gained not only by
the cut, but also by turning up deep hem
on the outside, and stitching it through
with several rows of machine stitching.
The short jackets, either with loose fronts
| or tight lifting like waists, opening at the
neck with narrow revers, are the prettiest
patterns, after ALL But the Elton jacket
is the most useful, on account of being SO
/ light and small that it can be carried on
the handle bar if it is not desired to wear
it. When the Elton jacket is used the
back must be cut long enough to almost
hide the belt of the skirt, and must be
neat, trim look The talors prefer the
double-faced cloth for their heavy cos
tunes, as they contend that it is so much
more pliable and hangs better. This cloth
| is always expensive, and the handsome
costumes made of it are rarely to be had
under $50. This includes the waist or
coat lined with silk. There is a great dis
cussion as to whether light or dark cloth
| is better. The dark shows, of course. all
| dust, but somehow looks more becoming
and less conspicuous, SO that the choice is
| simply matter OF personal taste. In the
linens there are some marvellous fabrics
| One which looks like a covert cloth is only
| 10 cents yard, makes up very well, and
launders well. A costume just made OF
this material, recently finished, only costs
81, including all the findings 1t was made
by cheap dressmaker, to be sure. who
copied the model of one of the newest
| patterns. Bicycle skirts should never
open in the back, but on either side of
| the front seams, and should button or
| hook over the side breadths. 1t is little
difficult to attain to this and have the
front breadth fit without a wrinkle, but
curving it out just a little around the
waist in front will obviate the difficulty
| The white duck and the linen of course
soil easily, but they look fresh and pretty,
and are delightfully."- cool. In all the large
establishments in New York there have
been recently sales OF ready made cos
tunes of these materials at IS and even
less. A short jacket and full width skirt
are the models. By taking out one breadth
in the back an excellent shape for BIZ
cycle skirt can be attained. The jackets
are exactly right, because they are made
in tailor effect with strapped seams, me-
dunn side seams, and capital cut gener-
ally. The inevitable shirt waist is nee
essary addition to every bicycle costume,
for it is very much cooler than any other
garment.
| What to wear under the skirt is quite a
| puzzle for warm weather. as tweed, serge,
or satin knickerbockers are altogether toe
heavy. Pongee silk and colored lawn arc
good, best of all, Lansdowne or gloria
silk. This last is very wide, exceedingly
cool, and only costs dollar yard. Two
yards will make boomers or knickerb ock-
ers, and will be found both comfortable
and durable. Even the canvas leggings
seem warm in summer, and some women
are trying to introduce the fashion of rid
ing without any leggings, wearing instead
plaid stockings The objection has been
urged so often to laced or buttoned boots,
on account of the compression about the
ankles, that few women care to wear
them; but the latest styles in bicycle boots
are of such thin soft leather and so pliable
that they are becoming more popular.
Harper's Bazar.