The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-25
FOR RAINY WEATHER.
A Lady In California Engaged In Making
BloOmerS POpular.

Rioomers are taken quite seriously by GER
tain women on the Pacific coast, and there
seems 10 be a sentiment in several places
looking TO the adoption of some sort OF
bloomer costume for ordinary street wear,
especially in rainy weather. The Sc -iment
sens to be particularly strong in Oakland and
Berkeley, and The Sin has chronicled several
forward steps taken by the dress reformers of
those places looking toward boomers. Seven
or eight weeks ago a woman in Berkeley ap-
peared in public in a walking costume which
included boomers, but her appearance was
brief. and limited to very small area Of the
town. She was studentat the State Uni
yersity. married coed, and she wore
blcomers on the campus and at her classes one
CAV. 1t was then said that n club was forming
among the girl students, the members Of
which were pledged TO wear boomers on wet
days. But the club has not yet had the cour-
age of its alleged convictions.
some two weeks since. however, Oakland
was startled by the appearance of woman
walking in the most public streets in decided
bloomer costume. She was Mrs. W. j. Bur.
w ell, a well-known resident of the city. 1t
was wet day when she appeared in her
boomers Her costume consisted of an
Alpine hat. long cloth coat, tight fitting
ana reaching to the knees, bloomers OF ample
construction that terminated just below the
knee. gaiter and substantial laced shoes.
Mrs. Burwell has long been in favor of some
kind OF Irrational" dress for women, but
what deciued her tor boomers was the fact
that she had severe illness early this winter.
which was caused through getting her skirts
saturated with rain and catching cold. She
,a;a bar rropnsitfon of wenring niopmora in
wet weather before her husband, and after he
had studied the question by observing the
plight OF women on several rainy days, ho
told Mrs. Burwell TO go ahead and wear her
boomers. She designed her own costume.
The CATERS arc of knitted wool; they reach
from just below the knee to the ankle, and
cover the instep.
Ii required considerable courage to step
outdoors, take n car, and stop from the car
out upon the main shopping street OF Oak
land. But Mrs. Burwell was willing TO be
something Of a martyr in being the leader Of
a reform crusade. or course. she attracted a
good deal of attention, and some folks made
unkind remarks bat she kept on her way as
serenely as could. did some shopping, and re-
turned home, immensely satisfied with her
experiment She was firm in her decision
She wore her costume on three oc four suo-
cessivs wet days after her FIRST venture, am.
had some experiences that were pleasant that
made up for others that were decidedly un-
pleasant. Some rude boys whistled after her.
and some men covered their faces with their
hands. But several women stopped her and
told her they approved of her course, and
admired her bravery. She went 30 n public
meeting in her bloomors, ana purposed also
going 10 the theater i'm them. Sha says she
has not met with any direct insult from any
one.
Mrs. Burwell IL 80 satisfied with tho result
Of her experiment and with the merits Of her
crusade that she Is going 90 try and form n
Boomer Club in Oakland. She has largo
circle Of acquaintances, and believes she can
get n gooe1y number TO Join. She will have
only married women as members OF the club
Tho principal rule OF the club will be that
every member must wear boomers when
going out doors on n rainy day.
Berkeley has had Rainy day Club for sew.
eral months. But its members have only
gone so far as 90 wear short skirts, reaching
20 within two on three inches of the ankle.
aud leather leggins. More than half the giri
students at the university wear this rainy
day costume But how every one IL on the
lookout for the first appearance In force OF
the Boomer Club.-The Sun.