The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-02
IN SNELLEST FADDOA
Hi Is Automobile, or Social
Insignificance.
COSTLlEST CRAZE OF ALL
What They Cost and the buds
That Go With Them.


automobile girl. Twenty years ago the
capricious American girl de luxe went in
for croquet. There came a short spell Of
archery. Then there was a rage OF ten
MIS- Then 1t was the bicycle. Then It
was golf. Now It Is goif-and the auto
mobile. When she isn't golfing this sum
mer she will go on somewhere on her
auto" She will learn to gu,oe IL her.
self and she will cultivate not only her
muscles-she has those IN pretty good
trim now-but self-reliance and patience,
real Bible virtues IN order to be SUCCESS
full and dashing in guiding htr autOmo-
bile.
And WHY?
Because the fad IL direct from Paris,
where the grandes danes have taken It
up, along with pretty nealy everybody
else who could afford It. Because II IL
the most expensive on her long list CT ex-
travagances. Because, too, for that same
reason. 1t Is extremely exclusive. Because
il means an expenditure of thousands Of
dollars tc satisfy her passing within.
Herluxurious electric wichita. with its
flaming red broaLc'o;h Innings AMI sl!N er
trappings, will cost more than a years
salary OF most young business men. And
her victoria is but one OF the automobiles
she will own If she Is a young person Of
wealth cad fashion.
The gorgeous gowns sire will wear when
managing levers and brakes and pedals
and buttins via be equally as elaborate
as her ball gowns. For the automobile
| girl dresses in scarlet, scarlet and black
| and scarlet and white at all hours OF the
| day.
, The automobile will revolutionize dress
at Newport this season. For the first time
in years picturesque. fluffy Paris riding
! costumes will take the place OF smart,
stiff English sailor styles. The scarlet fete
toilette will push the tan covert cloth TO
| the wall. 1t will double the expense Of
| the summer girls wardrobe. Even among
! Newport millionaires automobiles are not
! distributed broadcast in the family with
| out few minutes elaboration.
Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish has one, OF
course; in fact she has the credit Of start
| ing the craze here. Mrs. Hermann Gel
richs, Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney and
Miss Gerry are accomplished ''automobil-
| ists,'' and young Mrs. Willie K. Wander
bit, Jr., has ordered an electrict chariot
| ablaze with red for the Newport season.
| But the automobile Is more than a
| mere fad. It is a powerful actor in So
| c!ety. 1t has not only revolutionizel dress
for riding, but there is already a demand
! fir automobile jewelry. In gold and silver
and gun metal the tiny electric cab run
about and victoria are reproduced for
! scarf pins, watch charms, buckles and
/ lockets Automobile red will be the most
/ fashionable for the season. Automobile
! parties win be the most fashionable d.
version. And automobile muscles the
proudest possessiin of the summer girl.
The expense of the automobile as q fad
would appall most indulgent fathers. The
ultra smart automobile girl has at least
three electric carriages. She has either a
runabout or q pbaeton, which she man
ages herself, and which she keeps gener-
ally for morning use. T. is not "done up
in automobile red cloth, 1t Is upholstered
in her favorite color, and II she never
heard of the word economy the steering
handle. the brake and the foot lever are
mounted In solid silver. For afternoon
and state occasions she has a luxurious
victoria, and II is when riding In this
electric carriage that she wears her gor-
geous gowns.
The automobile girl does not control her
victoria. She merely sits back among the
cushions. and enjoys the gliding. pleasur-
able sensation. Ehe steering handle is at
the back and she trusts It to her coach
man.
Then there is the dos-a-dos, which Is
just the thing for a trip to the golf links,
or to use when two girls want to ride and
talk as we'll. The dos-a-dos has two seats
back to back. II is controlled by the per-
sin who sits on the front seat. where
there is room for two. Many of them are
made with a willow golf bag attached at
the right side. There are also electric
Surveys and broughams and cabs. They
will all be at Newport this summer. and
not only there as property Of millionaires,
but TO rent.
But It costs the automobile girl q nice
little fortune to have number Of electric
carriages tfor her own. She can't get
victoria fort cent less than 1850. and
smart little runabout with automobile red
lining and running gear, costs anywhere
from 81 800 TO 5000. At present most OF
the fashionable women are using the run
abouts, which are also called Whitechapel
carts. They manage them themselves,
and with an air OF independence and
courage delightful to see.
Now for the automobile fashions.
The electric carriages have given wo-
men new excuse for spending money on
their clothes. Gowns for automobile wear
ing are elaborate IN the extreme. The i'm
ported models are fit for a garden party
fete. Those most in fashion are in au-
tomobile red or have some touch % the
flaming color about them. For shopping
and morning riding there are dashing 1T
tie automobile red fculard gowns. SJme
are trimmed with coarse cream lace and
others are berufled creations, or they are
adorned with black lace insertion and
black velvet ribbons For afternoon wear
the automobile gowns are really gorgeous.
One recently arrived imported frock was
Of white mousseline de sole. scattered
with hand-painted red roses. the petals
outlined w:,h silver threads. The gown
was trimmed with black Caantilly lace.
and the girdle and stock were OF sea foam
green liberty silk. Scarlet iulle gowns
aer also much worn for automobile nd
ing. and with them are sold iuIie turbsns
to match. Filmy white wolfe gowns are
being made to order for Newport automO-
bile wear. fecked with red chenille polka
dots. The same fluffy little dots are seen
on black monSseline de sole gowns.
The automobile fad Is responsible for
the new, long. all-sslk automobile coat Il
is 10 be slipped over ihe gown when a
long, dusty ride = contemplated The
coat is loose fitting and l. mads Of sOft.
very light weight silk These coats may
-. S.-,ae,,.,,s A. snAssued "a fhA vssre-