Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-30
SOME PARTISAN DRIVING COSTUMES
The Dispatch Correspondent Tells of the
Latest Creations Seen on the Boulevards
of the French Capital.

PARIS. November 24.-Eow the Paris
ienne has changed in the last few years,
so far as outdoor exercise is concerned.
It is a marvel to note her to-day, after
remembering the dollhouse plant she was
SO short a while ago. This is due be-
You'd doubt to her sisters TAmericaine
and TAnglaise.
Soon she will shoot and hunt and canoe
with the best Of them. To-day she
..mobes" and drives principally-and
walks To promenade now really is quite
one of the things one must do here. It is
said to be due to 1nadam's desire to pre-
serve une joile iiEne de taille. and pre-
vent any symptoms of largeness about
the hips.
Thus we see every day the Acacia's and
other favorite avenues Of the Bots de
Bouogne crowded with chic pedestri-
ennes, who heretofore have considered
carriage riding a sufficiently severe form
of exercise.
For walking it is undeniable that the
short skirt daily grows in favor, and its
length is now sufficiently abbreviated 10
allow the display Of The arch Of a pretty
instep under a smart walking boot.
The fullness OF pleats around The base
OF. the skirt should be YER, deiicately ma
make the skirt spring out over a pretty
petticoat Of equal length. 1t should be
so cut as to avoid ciinging around the
heels, and, while graceful, yet to allow
for the free movement Of the limbs. One
sees this skirt on the wealthy prone
nader OF the Rue de la Paix during shop
ping hours, while her sister of the fau-
bcrgs, who steps from a smart trap or
a carriage to visit her couturier, in de-
hor n ll,S-
exhibit no such shortness Of skirts. but.
on the contrary, her costume would be
finished with almost a demi-train-both
equally de riGueur.
There have been exhibitions of many
new ideas at the chateauN recently.
where the shooting season is still at Its
height, although naturally. the season
having begun In town. there is little
need to go outside OF it. or at least be-
yond the env;rons to discover all thar is
to be known concerning the sartorial
preferences of the leaders of the beau
monde. One thing is settled. velvet and
lace will be very popular for certain pur-
poses, while cloth gowns will also hold
q distinctive place in the wardrobe.
An elegant velvet robe made, 1t was
said for the Queen Of Rounania. was cut
in narrow fitted cores, each outlined
with rich gallon. and the skirt finished
with deep dounce OF ernine. The blouse
waist was made in sections, the same as
the skirt, and trimmed with pelerine
of the fur. On the lower part Of the bell
sleeves the fur was used in deep cuff
form.
A charming gown for driving or out
door wear recently seen on one Of those
smart women, was of rough blue woollen
material The skirt is cut in sections.
one section Tapped over the other. and
stitched to form tuck. Each section
forms a loose. deep plat at the lower
,,ayt az the skirt. The suit is made with
q seam in front, and plat on each side
A. the back The same idea is carried
mt An the coat. There is q revere collar
~ Irray silk and cuffs OF the same,
aa,ed with soutacle braid. The sleeves
are OF a very novel cut. The tricorn
hat is Of gray felt, with black fur edge
and feathers.
is OF very fane check matesiai. MAGE w.1h
loose bclero The close-htting shoulder
cane and vest are Of ermtne. EDGED with
1s,,ss,an sable. The sleeves are made
in b;st,cp shape. with fare cuffs. The
second' figure in this Sketch shows tan
automobile coat with sable revers. light
collar and cuffs. The hat worn is OF req
felt. with lace drapery. ano large ofna-
1nent
A driving costume made for German
countess. which seized the opportunity
to sketch. is In figured z!beline. 1t is very
plain. and also very stylish. being made
with straight. high collar and double
breasted roAnd Elton. The sleeve is in
two parts. with plaits going under the
hare cuff. with small turn-back cuff
Of white cloth. The hat Is of fur with
velvet trimming
driving coat made for a wel-lnown
norsewouaan here is in very light tan,
peing trimmed with stitched bands and
pearl buttons. The shoulder cape is
10y 70 the upper part OF the sleeve
s-'1 = tns 5 shoulder With straps and but,