The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-11

u-FHEN Dewey comes nome the mn
SFW itary edition of the bicycle girl
will be ready to greet him. The
advance guard has appeared upon the
scene and forms the latest recruit to
the patriotic pageant now in prepara-
ton for Dewey's welcome. IN other
words, the bicycle girl of 1899 is re-
splendent in brass buttons and mess
coat. She aims TO follow the Vagarles
of fashion as expressed in military
clothing. To be consistent, navy blue
becomes the favorite color for wheel
women. Little Importance is attached
to the cut of her skirt so long as COZ
en- brass buttons climb the distance
from knee to belt on either side Of the
narrow front gore. Skirts Of the mo-
nent are comparatively shorter (really
quite tantalizing), frankly revealing the
ankle. but rnodestly covering suspected
beauteous curves. On no account are
leggfngs considered by the UP to date.
In case one out of the running insists,
only those Of ooze leather are to be toll
Grated. High boots are passee; low
shoes are the vogue. Heavy stockings
have been discarded for silk and Isle of
delicate texture. Nowadays the bicycle
Girl is daintily shod. The mess coat
which provides the note of distinction
TO her costume, is duplicate OF the
ANNAPOLIS cadets fatigue uniform.
The approved novelty jacket is Of
course tight fitting and braid bound.
The collar is cat straight and high, fas-
tening with a tab and button. Down
one side Of the Jacket front pointed tabs
each the length Of it; on the other is a
N. responding row of brass buttons.
The sleeves are just large enough to be
CONT ortable- but without any superf1u-
Gus material. They come down well
over the hand, to be slashed and joined
nv the decorative tab and button
scheme. The buttons used for the most
mart are p erfectly plain, but Old Glory
or the letters .'U. S. n" woven into d
monogram are favored by some enthu-
siasts-
The aIpint hat has gone the way of
the sweater Both of them having been
adopted for general wear, became TO
The vbeegwoman nondesirable. The lat
est hat is a combination of a small sized
sonbrero bTlm and freak sailor crown.
The crown is higher on one than the
other side and slants toward the front,
where an eagle feather rises to great
height. The brim is bound in leather,
and several bands of the same encircle
the crown.
Bicycling is not on the wane, but has
en- established place in the minds and
hearts Of the people
Since the question of divided skirts
versus boomers or Knockers was first
agitated each lesson develops an orig
inal idea. This year the bicycle girl
eoes to the breeches maker. Her trOus-
Of mt n
her costume, but must be tailor made
bv one who makes breeches building a
speciality. Whether they are baggy or
conform to the lines of grace depends
uDon milady's estimate Of her physical
perfections. Upon this subject she usu-
aUv has a fixed opinion. There have
been few orders placed for any but
skin tight trousers.
l like the much maligned sweater and
am sorry the suitable garment has lost
caste with the wheelwOman fraternity.
[ considered the passing Of the sweater
from the realm of exclusively masculine
belongings into the perfumed precincts
Of the feminine wardrobe an event
worthy Of the attention of social philos-
ophers 1t was more significant
change than the appropriation of the
masculine tie, the masculine collar and
The masculine waistcoat, which preced-
"a it. Those seizures indicated merely
desire Tor business for what the shop
girls cali 'nattiness" and the old fash
ioned women cau ''mannishness." But
the passing Of the sweater into femi-
u.ne realms meant more than that.
In the first place. the sweater is not
I'm object of beauty. Not even when 4
stock collar of satin ribbon and a silk
lac.uS cord have been added can it be
called an attractive garment. 1t has no
mercy upon defects. The bones of the
tim woman and the superintendent
curves of the stout woman are visible
Igaeath ITS painfully truthful meshes.
No seams or darts soften or shape the
vearer's outlines 10 beauty. and when
women deliberately take TO their hearts
sarment which is SO relentless in re-
Ngaliug defects as the sweater is the in