New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-12
IN FAVOR OF SHORT SKIRTS.
A MAN WHO WOULD PUT BOYS IN DRESSES
AND THINKS WOMANLY ATTIRE IDEAL.

A MAN WHO WOULD PUT BOYS IN DRESSES
AND THINKS wOMANLY ATTIRE IDEAL.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Str: I am curious to know what statutes on dress
the women violate who wear short-skirted costumes
In the city or at the seaside have seen it
stated that those who do so and do not have
bicycles with them or show checks for wheels are
liable to arrest.
| have searched the statutes Of Connecticut in
vain for laws which regulate the attire Of the
people and the distinction Of the sexes, and am
thus forced to the conclusion that convictions for
Violations of common customs In such matters
must be made under what Is known common
Law. because It does not seem possible that our
judges would convict without sanction Of law
!, seems. 10 an observer that such arrests and
convictions inhuman encroachment OF the
rlc1ts and liberties Of a people. II person drove
his hors" along the ST. Is In letters he would
be likely 10 be called account for cruelty to
animals but here have a attempt OF
the rae authorities practically 10 fetter the other
half of humanity.
Short-skired costumes would seem to be an ideal
attire for either mai or woman. No one mo
claims any artistic taste will deny that there Is a
picturesqueness I'm a gathering of girls when
the distance is such tina, fea lures are unrecog-
nizable. which collection Of boys never has. And
/ doubt If there is an intelligent boy In the land
to-day who does not I'm his heart feel that T. Is So
on the other hand skirts. II long. nconvenent.
attire Of the sexes 90 AZ prosen managed has
solved itself practically into garments Of mere com
fort and convenience, having a lack Of all really
tistic beauty in the mems dress we'll OF
elegance and attractiveness
Men and boys are expected 10 take TO trousers
and women End girls 10 long gowns and petticoats
naturally as ducks 10 water and every one is
supposed 70 be perfectly satisfied. As a Persons
attire really concerns one else except in looks
a philosopher would expect that in a land Of pro-
tossed liber,y the dress Of citizens might be taken
as symbol Of the liberty with which each may
deport herself And it would undoubtedly long
since have been g. persons had sufficient con-
hdence themselves to the correctness Of their
tastes to put -hem in uncloudod light for other
mon 10 view. In dressing she does DIR. Mary
Walker has shown an example Of surprising
courage, but at the time by adopting the
uniform OF the male without any modification
In appearance at least. she sinks her individuality
almost AS low as If she had always petit
coats
think too that mothers should not too greatly
control the taste Of their children in matters OF
dress; II should he allowed a certain individuality
one mother know OF observed this rirht in her
children, and when her boy of between the age OF
six and seven years pleaded for a dress instead Of
trousers she got him
Another mother that knew said: MY little boy
made an awful fuss when J put him into pants.
He cried and was nconsolabe. but was bound 10
have him out Of dresses. 1t made so much less work
for me. | told him to kiss all the pretty things
goodby. and that no could go every day ard look at
them In the bureau drawer where they were all
laid away. He went several days but it soon got
TO be an old story; the trouble was quickly over
and his love forgotten"
Some women writer's have much TO say about
rational dress and they usually refer 10 trousers
being more rational than skirts, but what is ra-
tonal really depends on tho climate and the employ
ment. II ! were asked 10 describe what ! would
consider the most comfortable costume for not
weather would say canvas-top shoes. a loose gown
and wel-desgned sunbonnet. 1t would be almost
was such as allowed the wearing Of a robe There
Is an airness In a gown which makes anything OF
lively uncomfortable in comparison hot sum-
ton in good sunbonnet that ninety-nne men in
hundred have never suspected. II they had we
should have them in But such is the
force OF custom that not man in million would
now dare to wear bonnet be his yearning ever so
The bicycle has given women the first right to
boomers and knickerbOckers, and the colleges
toward gowns The time may be said to be here
now when the gown Is not a sign OF eneminacy
knlckerbockerS Trousers nice in their place
and so are cowhle boots. and there IS about as
should be seen In fun dress because they really
much out OF place there as petticOats In snow
ing costume which makes IL disgrace TO our
and civilization. and woman's shows want OF
iamentable and sin Of tho race against the in
dvdual lie is poor prophet VINO cannot h see os
in some OF these costumes and customs before an
Other generation passes 1900 ..uo-, .,,,r
dress parties and masquera1es for diversion during
the cool season but to my mind the most appro-
pirate place fancy dress H. excursions. plcnicS
and Ike festivities I'm hot weather, and II would
seem natural 20 have variety In costumes en-
couraged instead Of frowned upon at all the pleas
resorts.
Monotony Is wearying 10 the mind and bane 10
humanity but thanks 10 our changeable climate.
we can have no monotony clothes II comfortably
and wisely dressed Who would not gladly help 10
hasten the time when actual individual liberty IN
attire is a glowing symbol Of the liberties we boast?
Truly vours j VI. HUBBARD
NDrr,-N nr Snnf II