The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-05-06

The evolution Of the bicycle suit Is
now progressing much more slowly than
it did at first. Women have become
very conservative as to what they shall
wear awheel. They are not willing to
accept radical changes. as they once
were.
So this season there are no striking
novelties. There are, however, SOM
variations which seem to make wheel
costumes prettisr and more practical
tina ever. Each rider has her own
ideas as to what the length Of her skirt
shall be. This point has been generally
conceded by the fashion makers.
Another point that has beHn gained is
the acceptance of the fac that the skirt
is prettiest when plainest. Frills and
furbefows may be all right for the
drawing room or street, but on a wheel
they are decidedly out of place.
Fly fronts. with useful pockets, are
seen on nearly all skirts. Some Of the
pockets button, and some do not. The
placket is at the left side of the front
breadth. 1t is not safe nor pretty 20
have the opening In the back. as it is so
easy TO d~isarrarge it while mounting.
Bicycle underwear consists of linen
mesh drawers and vest, which has
proved to be the best and safest of all
underwear where much exertion on the
part of the wearer is concerned. Tights,
regular kni~ckerbockers and divided
skirts and bloo1ners are all worn as one
prefers. They should be flexible, light
and as porous as possible.
The pretuest suit I have seen this
season, taking it ali In all, is shown in
the illustration. The skirt is divided.
but hangs rather longer h usual
There is a front panel which fastens
over two lines of buttons, and this con-
verts the garment into a closed skirt
for walking. 1t can III case of need be
also left closed for riding. but for COM
fort and safety 1t Is better off and rolled
up tightly.
The Norfolk Jacket worn with this
suit, which Is Of gray cravanette covert,
is one of the newest of the spring ideas.
The front piece is made with stiff hair
bone and buttoned only on one side.
The straps reach over the shoulder
down to the bottom on each side, and
there is a bias strapped band down each
sleeve, which adds to the neat effect.
The stock and collar are Of washable
material and arranged ell in one piece,
with a comfort piece inside.
The hat is of heavy fancy duck stitch
ed into shape over buckram. Gloves
are gray suede.
Elton jackets, with trimming Of frogs
and loops, are very noticeable. One
such suit was of granite cheviot, with
lines of very narrow black soutache
around the skirt.
One mixture skirt was made with
many rows Of stitching around b bot
tom and worn with a linen shirt waist
and a short drab cloth jacket and a felt
alpine.
The Elton, blazer, Norfolk and the shirt
waists are all in favor for wheelwomen.
The Norfolk is the first favorite and the
Elton next. Many have tight fitting
waists in jacket style OF trimming. The
shirt waist is made of all sorts of stuff,
duck and linen In dark colofs being
popular. Linen crash in all the new
colors and Russian duck are being made
UP in large quantities.
Everything intended for wearing on
bicycles should be strongly made, and
all the ~fasterings should be seen to
carefully. I know one young lady, and
I suppose there are many more, who
sews her skirt to the belt of whatever
waist she wears. It takes but q few
moments, and she knows that no
amount Of strain will cause them to
work or pull apart, something which
often happen IN spite of safety pins
and patent belt holders.
The dark paid or ribbed hosiery IL
rather the best liked this season so far.
The shoes depend entirely on the wear
er's own preference. There are very
dainty looking high boots at very rea-
sonable prices. These answer In place
of the rather cumbersome n warm
leggfngs. There are also pretty little
oxfords and Newports. with and with
out heels.
All belts are of leather. with harness
buckles, and they are strong and rather
wider than those of last season. Man
nish collars and ties are popular, and
there are some very handily arranged
chemisettes where the whole thing Is
all ready to wear by simply buttoning
the collar in the back Of the neck
1 have a very clever young friend,
and of her I asked a question which has
puzzled RE many years.
"waars DO old fashions go?"
.swrhv. .ort.' OF course, vas the reply.
THAT is txss. es,d nc one can gainsay'
IT, bu4. a<fsr ali. there Is room for Won
ds-isses reflection
Oniy q short time since the sleeves
were 50 large that h whole world
seemed crowded, and only last summer
the FONTS al the. blolses n shirt
waists were 30 distepded with all sorls
Of co~ntrivanoes that they were simply
horrible when judged as real outline