Evening star., 1897-07-31
The Revival Of Surf Bathing at This
Aristocratic Resort.
A BIG PRIVATE BATH TUB
Some Noticeable Costumes and
How They Are Trimmed.
MODELLED FROM THE FRENCH
Copyright, 1897. by Batchelieri s, ndicate.)

Written for The Evening Star,o-,
NEWPORT, r. l., July %, 1897.
Ducks are plenty at BaAey's beach. The
extra rigor of the game law has something
to do With it. With no snap shots to fear,
focks of aquatic beauties dive and float and
preen their plumage, which lis from the
best houses devoted TO fine feathers. White
ducks with red heads hre oparticularly
abundant. One of these played in the
waves a long time yesterday swimming
under water. performing an sorts of tricks
and coming out al last upon the beach as
unruffied one Of Mother Carey's chick
ems in a gale.
This duck was in white duck, which l
am not recommending, however, as a par
ticularly good material But it was well
handled. OF it was constructed a skirt
barely covering the knees and hiding the
white knickerbockers. This skirt had a
gored front and what little fullness is boast
ed was all behind 1t was trimmed at the
bottom with two broad bands of scarlet
linen fastened down with little coils of
scarlet braid. The waist was blouse gath
cred to sGuare-cut yoke at the neck,
leaving the throat bare. Yoke, belt and the
button hole hem were of scarlet. and scar
let bands finished the short puffed sleeves.
Scarlet silk covered the little rubber bath
ing cap and scarlet cords laced the san
uiiS VI a VII ONSI tile lOl1S Willie SILK STOCK
irgS.
Bathing il Popular.
Newport has not had great fame in the
past as bathing resort in spite of its
luxuriously furnished lighthouses. 1t has
been a part of the Newport tradition to
bathe at unearthiy hours and to bathe in
dark and decorous garments, SO as not to
be seen of men. The Newport maiden who
had to break bonds three four times
season went over to the pier to snap tf.em
and tied herself up tighter than ever in the
customary 'conventionalities after her
taste of freedom when she saw the New
pert beach again. But now that the latter
has become quite like private bath tub
all this is changed. The great unwashed
never were allowed to contalnina;e this
particular bit of ocean, but the present
effort to shoe them even off tie sanls has
brought out brighter stockings and caps
and gayer costumes than Newport ever has
known. Cottagers posing before eNcur-
sionists had to be demure. Noblesse ohlige.
Cottagers posing before one another only
can be as lively as they please. Hence the
red-headed ducks and other archaeological
specimens
Costumes and Materials.
Silk, serge, mohair and flannel are the
favorite materials. Brilliantine is used to
some extent. Duck and piaue are not for
hidden, and denim, because Of the great
range Of colors it takes, has some follow
ers. There are no eccentric or extreme
costumes, but bathing suits are as careful
ly planned as tea gowns, and there Is al
most as much variety to them.
One of the best costumes at the bathing
hour today was Of dark red serge. The
short skirt had wide hem turned up
plainly with several rows OF black stitch
ing. There were knickerbockers of the
same material, and there was full blouse
with little black vest and wide collar,
trimmed with black braidaind turning over
a black silk scarf tie. A black kerchief 10
tie up the blonde hair. black belt and black
stockings completed i very .effective outfit
for the slight figure and faArskin of pref
ty girl who has not yet made 1er debut in
uHe 1hat black zGasiy and white rtsae n excellent
contrast is evidenced furt8er ~ a suit of
% yourg matrons Of TUXEDO. 3Shs Iwoop down
on Newport. for the muchfEaed h ffmbering
up of Newport. every &lmAfr. White
sn% s,a black noss Sass
with broad white collar stitched with black.
ment, together with Sss khfte cloak
tied with heavy black Agtsdle
Blue and whfte.
Dark blue used to rule the roost in cos
tunes aquatic. 1t has disappeared almost
entirely. When 1t is revived. It carries a
broad white collar OR Is turned up with a
eeep white hem, or is differentiated, in some
way from former braid-tripmed editions.
Braid is used as lavishly tiafs year as in
other seasons. but with difference. Wide
braids have been displaced by bands of
Goth OF color contrasting with the dress.
Serpentine braids, often the narrowest to
ming. These are used to- edge blouse and
collar OF to fasten down In most elaborate
twists the cloth bands above mentioned.
Bright blues and light blues have not
shared the rate of the deeper tones. White
trimmed with light blue ard light..hlue
trimmed with white are almost as popular