The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-23
FcaturcS-Of Fashions for
Well Dressed Men.
Pink, Red and Even Green
Are Among COlOrS Shown.
WaistcOats of Rainbow Shades Will
Also Be Very Popular.

The changes in fashions for men this
spring will doubtless be very few. In
some quarters multi-colored shirts and
waistcoats,and hosiery will be worn, yet
no really eccentric obligations are in
sight Soft bosomed shirts OF odd hues
Will be exceedingly popular, and when,
in the days of low shoes, the swell turns
up his trousers some astonishing colors in
man touch up his monotonous self?
bit of decided color is TO the well dressed
man like "a red tree in "a landscape of
autumn. The dictators of fashions
therefore had their artistic eyes open
when they decided on Eccossais plaid
hose, brown and tan waistcoats and blue,
brown and pink shirts. 1t is also fortu-
nate that the haberdashers have not de-
cided to adopt the new colors TO any dis
couraging degree.
True there are Coquillicot or poppy red
ties for very dark men, and some even
in Salome pink, but thanks to the moder-
alton of the autocrats we are not yet
Obliged TO adorn ourselves with bluet,
Reseda or forest green or Gloire dc Dijon.
The laws OF cycle dress have been
slightly changed from last year. Decided
figures in the knickerbockers prevail.
The breeches will not be rs buggy as for
merly, and thus the aspiring cyclist will
be saved that woe-begCRe appearance
caused by baggy accumulation of knick-
erbockers about the knee. A very proper
combination this spring will be boldly
checked breeches and black serge coat
A black coat unfortunately shows the
dust and presents sorry appearance
after few hours on the read. But many
well dressed cyclists will continue TO
popularize gray coat. Gray does not
go we'll with black or brown and white
check, however, and the severe dresser
will be Obliged to carry n whisk broom
with him as "A part of his cycle impedi-
menta or else swallow his abhorrence for
clashing colors There is "a change in
style which certain bicycle riders sorrow
fully see advancing.
Certain riders are dscarding the but
toned calf bands and are resorting to
straps. Knickerbockers strapped about
the knee lack finish. The calf band not
only holds the breeches in place. but adds
an air of completeness to them such as Is
seen in regulation riding breeohes. A
few yenturcsome cycling Beau Brummels
have appeared on their wheels in riding
breeches and their good appearance cam
not be denied. Riding brooches are not
quite full enough about the knee to allow
Of free action on the wheel, and those
who have noticed this are having cycling
breechcs made, medium between the full
knickerbockers and the breeches of the
horseback rider. Cycling stockings are
generally more subdued in color and de-
sign, but the man of bold tastes can be
quickly satisfied
The influence cycling has had in the
past over the established laws of dress will
be watched with great interest this
year. As the bicycle habit had tho effect
OF noticeabiy leveling the distinctions be-
tween morning and afternoon, and even
evening dress last year, it will be matter
of much concern among men of fashion 70
see how much further this leveling process
will go Cycling is exerting n tremendous
influence over the dressing habits of men.
The comfort of the cycling costume is let
ting the more stiff clothing get moth
eaten in the closets. In London, even
now, men are dressing in tweods instead
of black morning coats frock coats, Ches-
teriields, silk hats fancy gloves and patent
leather boots London tailors say they
have never made so many tweed suits and
SO few extra fine coats. In England this
freedom in dress has led To n demand for
special materials, elastic, soft and withal
gentlemanly. This kind of dress is donned
in the morning that man may cycle to
his club to pay call, to go to lunch, for
which, by the way, he used to dress up,
and in many cases he has changed to fan
mel and to colored shirts instead of the
costly and elaborate dress white ones.
Not long ago il a man went out with n
lady he must put on certain kind of
garment far more costly than u cycling
suit. Today he sallies forth, whether a
town or country gentleman, in soft
tweed knickerbocker suit until he has to
doff it for dinner, or, rs likely as not, he
does not take it off at all. The straight
ened. particularly high drawn etiquette of
society has not had ~ --ss,ck in all this,
but has welcomed it and is welcoming 1t
still; is looking forward to its development
in the future.
Paris is constantly holding up her repu-
tation as being the leader OF the eccentric
in dress. Last season swell yachting
club, made up of prominent Parisians,
adopted a yachting uniform which in
volvcd so much gold braid that the adj
mirals in the regular French navy felt
ashamed of their calling.
Now the SOciete Equestre dc IEtrier
comes forward with the intention of main
tanning the traditions and characteristics
OF French horsemanship ms it existed i'm
all its glory in the time of Louis XVI
This society of horseback riders was or
ganizcd in 1925, and is in flourishing
condition. Among the members OF the
society are Comte do Cosse- Brissoe, well
known To New Workers i'm society at home
and abroad; the Marquis de La Grange,
who married Miss r.. Carroll daughter of
Thomas Carroll of Baltimore: NJ. de
Bcauvais Baron de Nandcul, NJ. dc eau
mont Count dc Brotcuil and many others
whose names are equally familiar TO us.
The members of the club are all good
riders, but their grace ON horseback is
thrown into the background by their
gorgeous but queer clothes The gentle
men wear top boots, white and tight
brooches, single breasted frock coats lace
ncckwcar of the period of Louis XVI, and
thrcc-cornercd hats. A company OF the gen
tlcmcn out riding look as IL they might
bc the spirits of some court gentlemen of
n hundred years ago. The ladies wear the
conventional riding habit with the
peculiar ncckwcar and the three -cOrnercd
hats. The men also hold the whip in the
old-fashoncd way, at right angles with
the knee. The whips are rather long and
evidently reminders of the ld.fashioncd
gaulc or switch.
A Delightful Balm to Catarrh suffer-