Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-03-09
SKIRT WITH SINGLE SEAM
Fashionable Garment is the Rage in
Paris.

A recent importation from Paris has
set the hearts of many women aching
with envy. The object that excites
the green-eyed monster is beautiful
walking sh.rt fashioned with onIv a
single seam and fitting as close to the
hgure as the mythical coat that COW
cred poor old Caleb PIummer's bent
form.
OF heavy blue broadcloth is this
wondrous skirt, which flares out In
superb folds down the back, clinging
closely to the feet round the sides and
front in the scant fashion now in
vogue.
And therein lies the marvel of it.
For to fit a seamless thing below the
Waistline like 'the paper on the wall"
and yet flare it out below in graceful
folds requires absolute genius. The
couturiere is proud of this achieve
ment, but she divides the honors
with her client, for, as she said, IL
madam had not the figure of a Venus,
and if madam did not know how to
walk, it would be impossible to pro-
duce the effect. But madam does
know how to walk like a true Par
lslene, with shoulders thrown we'll
back, head high, putting the toe down
first as she steps, which throws the
| figure forward, emphasizing the out
line of her back and showing off to
tremendous advantage the skirt which
S nodded to her. And madam must
sit with circumspection. For were
she not skilled in the art, this most
skinny Of skirts would bag at the
| knees"
AS may be imagined, no lingerie
is worn under this masterpiece. So
abnormally tight skirt admits of no
room for frills and furbelows. Madam.
la coutouriere, the tyranical, when she
built the skirt permitted only the
scantiest of silk petticoats over the
corsets and the sheerest of undervests
and black silk tights underneath. A
trial to the flesh is this doing away
with dainty lingerie to this smart wo-
man, who has hitherto reveled in be-
ribboned lace flounces meath her pet
ticoat. But she's given them all I'D
heroically. The exquisite contour of
her figure must be preserved.
With this stunning skirt is worn
jacket of the same cloth, cut short,
like an Elton, to display the curves,
and opening in front to show a finely
tucked waIstcoat of satin and lace.
And as, according to the reflections
of an up-to-date bachelor, Eve want
ed to put on clothes merely to be able
to have hat to go with them" the
hat for this costume is a browning
glory. 1t too was built in Paris-a
white felt of Dresden shepherdess
snaps, tilted down over the nose and
faring at the sides, with the most CO.
quettish of knots of yellow velvet
tucked in against the hair on either
side, while a superb piece of ecru
Brussels lace spreads can fashion over
the brim. Madam being a brunei
this combination of white and yellow
produces a stunning effect and is in
striking contrast to the dark blue Of
her gown.
If one were to see on the avenue a
tall, beautifully curved woman, who
walks like an empress and whose ir-
reproachable costume has dis
tinctive air, and if one were to be so
plebian as to turn about for a back
ward look at her, one might recognize
by "the cut of her clothes" this smart
woman whose seamless skirt has no
rival.