The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-17
TO AVOID MUDDY SKIRTS.
REFORM MOVEMENT FOR A NEW
sTORN DRESS FOR WOMEN.
The Rafny Season Brings Ont the
Probes n to How the Fair Sex
Can with Propriety Keep From
Serving N street swecDers.

As the women Of Seattle trudze their
way over muddy crossings and along side
streets, where the depth Of the slush IL
measured by the length OF the rainy sea-
son. many OF them have no doubt pro-
tested inwardly. At least. against the be-
dragged skirts and bespatsered bootiets
that were the penalty Of even short walk
on rainy day.
Garry this package home for me-" said
woman 10 her husband the other day.
II can; take 1t. because have 10 hold up
my dress. and even then IL Will get wet
and dirty"
Elsewhere a crusade. reform move
ment. Is being waged among women in
favor OF distinctive and suitable costumes
for wet weather. The main features OF
the new dress are the shortness OF the
dress skirt. the hem OF which is from eight
TO fifteen inches above ground. and stout
pair Of leggings. Several large firms In
the East are already engaged III manufac-
turing the storm or "rainr-day" dress:
patents are being applied for. special de-
signs executed and adopted. ard the big
department. stores are Incorporating the
new and dainty suits into their regular
stock.
In New York the dress Is worn about
eight inches from the heel. Unless It Is
from eight to fifteen inches from the mud.
1t will not serve the purpose. A dress
ankle or even shoe-top length Is not the
perfect storm dress. although at first, il
this length Is desired by some, let 1t be
worn.
The dress has been found to be the most
comfortable. as well as the best adapted
to all figures. II can be worn with a silk
waist. shirt waist. soft white sweater, or
any other combination; with a cape or
jacket. hat and legsings to match. II de-
sired.
The style with bell skirt and Elton Jacket
Is the dress advocated by the Delsarte peo-
pie OF New York. In this dress the side
seam OF the bioomers beneath Is sewed in
with the eide seam Of the skirt. making
II impossible for tho skirt to blow about
The Idea Is patented.
No underskirt Is worn with the short
tress-bloomers or equestrienne tights
When cork-soied shoes are worn. ribbers
can be dispensed with. The goods chosen
Is generally OF heavy wool and is rn-
lined: II OF some material that sheds the
water, then. with storm cap, on a long
tramp an umbrella can often be dispensed
with.
In Portland. Or. the movement In favor
OF the new costume has met with eonsid-
cradle favor. At a mass meeting held In
taat CITY iast week 30 per cent. or the
women publicly declared their intention
to wear the short skirt. And At the
words Every man who believes this to
be sensible and desirable costume for
women, who VIII give II his sympathy
and support, please RISE" every man in
the room rose TO his feet. According 10 the
Oregonian. this winter has seen a great
impetus to the custom, from the sensible
business woman to the debutante who In
cludes all kinds OF costumes and Injuries
IN her wardrobe. The latter Is beginning
to order her storm dress with as much
pride and care as she orders her tea
gowns. And before 1900 a woms. ,Sho an
pears on the street holding up a long skirt
With vulgar disclosures OF bedraggled net
ticoats. with seauy shoes and wet ankles.
viii he humiliating spectacle.
No distinct movement in favor OF such q
dress has thus far shown itself in Seattle
prominent m'iliners and dressmakers Of
the city stated TO Post-1ntelligencer re-
porter yesterday that no such costumes
had been ordered and none wers
kept In stock. 1.-THE adopt,or or
such dress. however" said one % then,
would be very easy matter In Seattle
where women do a deal Of walking durfnr
the rainy season. Already we make n sne
cfal suit consisting of cape and skir. ~,
cycle skirts are common enough on our
streets to prevent the wearer OF shor.
skirt from appearing conspicuous. ana the
leggfngs would follow almost as a n,,ster
OF course.