The herald., 1896-06-07
WEAR LOOSE SILK,
THE BEST MATERIAL FOR THE
WHEELWOMAN'S UNDERWEAR.
TIGHTS ARE IN DISFAVOR.
Are Too Warm and Imped the Action
of the Limbs-Muslin and Laces
Wear Out Quickly.

NEW YORK, May 2s-1t has been estab-
lshed beyond controversy that a women
cannot wear the same underclothing while
bicycling or enjoying other athletic sports
that she fnds suitable for her ordinary
avocations. She may wear set of gar
ments while shopping, visiting. or even
dancing, with comfort, that would be re-
strlctive and awkward for bicycling. Out
door sports are as necessary to woman's
enjoyment of life as they are to the men
women are doing nearly everything in
the way of athletics that the men do, and
doing it well. too Blu. dress is always an
important factor in woman's satisfaction
no matter what she may be doing. Hence
the anxiety to furnish her with the most de-
sirable garments for wheeling.
Stores devoted to the sale Of sporting
goods have woman's departments. In these
departments, while everything in dress can
not be bought ready made, orders for things
to be made can be left there with the assur-
ance that the order will be promptly filed,
no matter what it may be.
To begin WITH the wheelwoman doesn'.
want muslin underwear. She has found
that the delicate linens and embroideries
and Iaces will not stand the wear and tear
OF hard riding. They must be frequently
laundered. and that means rapid wearing
out. Moreover, this kind of underwear is
heating and bulky, and causes discomfort
Deen found to be the coolest material for
the bicyclst's underwear, though close-ft-
ting aud woven garments, without superfiu-
GUS folds or trimming that can be easily
laundered, are popular
Ihere have been many attempts to per-
euade wheelworlen to wear tights" gen.
orally black, but the fair bicyclist does not
like them. They cling tightly and are too
warm. What is needed is something loose
fitting, 80 that there shall be nothing to
impede the free movement of the limbs
Inc silk kn1ckerbockers that are worn next
the skin are the same shape as the bloomers
outside but not so full. They are buttoned
below the knee with narrow band and one
button. They are fastened around the waist
In a similar manner.
Some women prefer wool instead of silk.
1t might be thought that the wool would be
scratchy, but it is of smooth finish, so that
this defect does not exist.
The greatest care must be exercised by
the wheelwoman in the selection Of cor
set. Under this corset is worn little silk
vest. One of the new bicycling corsets is of
coarse netting, with a broad steel support
ing the silk elastic webbing which forms the
sides. The corset Is only about eight inches
from top to bottom, thus allowing free move
ment and escaping danger of being itself
broken. Many women makeshift when they
begin to ride the wheel by resurrectng a
pair of half-worn corsets and allowing them
to take place OF some specially made.
But most Of the corsets designed for ordi-
nary use are too long for comfort in riding
besides being too heavily boned about the
hips and stomach.
A useful, healthful corset has a detach-
able addition to the lower portion, which
hces at the sides in much the same manner
as the ordinary abdominal corset. This al
lows freedom to the hips and gives added
strenpth 10 the waist line. Another style
is a lightly boned little thing cut short on
the hips, and still another reaches only to
the waist line in front. At the sides it
comes as low as in the ordinary corset
with double elastic bands around the body
that give at every motion. A rust-resist-