Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-16

tering In Nice was assured by all her
French friends that size would improve,
ner position vastly by putting ON proper
preeches for her daily spins upon her "bi-
cyclette," instead Of the simple, dark-col-
oIeo SKIRT costume she was wearing
In this country skirts have driven
oreeches off the ROAD, But the skirt camp
Is far enough from being peaceful. Briefly
set forth. these are the present seasons
causes of dissension: ri
Is the circular skirt or the divided skirt
the better? eni E.
What does Short mean?
10 the first question only one answer
Is possible, to wit. that depends" For
parade purposes along the city asphalt
the circular skirt, either plain or with
gored front and saddle pleats in the
back, possesses the advantages of hang
ing more gracefully and of being less awk-
Ward OH the wheel. English women. who
rioe at least as well as Americans use the
circular skirt almost invariably, both for
snort excursions and for touring.
Numerlcally skirts have the majority.
put experienced riders hereabouts have
abard oned them, except for parade nur
poses, almost as decidedly as they have
boomers. Women who without "scorch-
ing or doing centuries" are yet accus-
toned to all-day excursions over the conn
try roads, pumping up hill and flying down
pushing against stiff wind il necessary.
nave settled down to the divided skirt
as the most practicable costume now Of
fered for "all-round' riding 1t does not
dow up as easily as the circular skirt
which requires deal of weighing, and is
altogether the more workmanlike. For the
BILE.
Wide Range Of Choice.
The "smartest" costumes now being
serges, wooden mixtures and, for hot wealth
err. covert cloths and piques Bicycle FASH
ions this summer will admit much wider
rarge Of color and much greater elabor-
alton or ornament than has in the past
been permissible. The neutral tints, cal
culated to hide dust, which have been the
stand-bys, are still used; probably a con-
siderable proportion of women riders will
always prefer them. Decided colors, both
dark and light, are the seasons novelties
however, and have already thrown the
browns and beiges into the background.
Blue Will be as por ular on the bike as
elsewhere. Very handsome navy blue Co.'S
tunes are being made. but royal and other
Drlgnt piueS are even more in demand.
scotch plaids are coming out in consider
able numbers, both for whole suits and for
skirts, with coats in solid colors. The green
and blue tartans do not have things their
own way, either; the gayer plaids intro
ducing much scarlet are the favorites.
heu costumes and red coats with blue
skirts are setting the roads on fire.
Coat and skirt costumes to be worn with
vests or shirt waists are the rule. as
heretofore, though they are not by any
means universal. The prevailing fashions
IN coats are followed closely. A short
basqued. blouse coat with belt and turn
DOWN revers Is favorite model. Another
IS coat long in the back and forming an
Elton jacket in front, the belt passing out
side. The REFER coat, the tight-fitting cut
away, the double-breasted box coat and
any number Of short Jackets tight-fitting
In the back and either tight in front or
lar. nTIi
Stylish Costumes.
A trim. smart bicycisridress is of royal
blue cheviot serge, the Gskirt finished with
bands Of the cloth 4stftched down. The
REFER jacket has broad revers, forming a
square collar back and front; this is faced
with white cloth and bornamented with
stitching. The sleeves1 are tight, but not
skin-tight, like othet dress sleeves
double-breasted ,hfSuse costume of
brown mixture has waist, and skirt decorat-
ed ca wi with n, effective sfRl pattern appliques
wit with white and tahhsd. A white leather
A cutaway coat Of navy blue serge is
worn with a white piaue vest fastened with
small gold buttons. The blue serge skirt
is braided with black
The fashionable princess model is
adapted for the bicycle in costume OF
blue. green and red checks. The front of
the waist and upper part of the skirt is
laid In small up and down tucks, trimmed
with buttons. These, with the belt, con-
troll the fullness. The bodice is turned
away at the throat in v; 1t is finished
with a sailor collar and opens upon
starched vest and stand-up collar. The hem
Of the skirt, the collar, cuffs and small hip
pockets are trimmed with dark blue braid.
Costumes as elaborate as this. or more SO.
are ordered for the ..gymkhana" contests
that will form one Of the most fashionable
of the seasons sports.
Cycling Hats.
The bicycle girls hats are innumerable.
A high-erowned felt with a long. stiff quill
is adhered to by many. The felt hat, |
trimmed with folds of striped silk to match |