Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-04-30
WOMEN RIDE IN BREECHES
Few Fashion IN Habits for Cross
Saddle Wear.
MANS SADDLE ADOPTED BY OTHER SEX
Popular Demand for It-One Academy
LOnE Refusing to Teach the
Method Forced to
Give In.

Women who ride in brooches are by no
means uncommon now despite the horror
openly expressed by some more conserva-
tive friends. the same friends who few
years ago were startled by the then UNI
usual custom Of riding astride
As the later style became more general
the habit makers responded readily to tho
demand for divided skirts, which we're
easier to make than the sidesaddle habit.
Building on the fact that a leading New
York riding academy refused to teach adult
women to ride astride, opponents OF the
new fashion took courage and predicted
that its vogue would be short lived
These predictions have not been realized
On the contrary. riding astride is more
popular than ever. The academy which
stood out for the sidesaddle and refused
to teach riding astride to women eapitu-
lated several months ago, 1t was forced to.
The manager found that by sticking to his
resolve he was simply helping other riding
schools
Those who know say that the custom OF
riding astride IL now more general than
ever before-not so much In New York
perhaps as in the suburbs and at resorts
In the south and west frequented by New
York women. some of whom make a point
OF riding sedately a sldeeaddle when in
Central park, but soon as they shake
New York's dust from their boots exchange
the sidesaddle for a mans saddle.
What is more, fashionable women have
gone a step further. Many have discarded
the divided skirt in favor Of riding breeches
almost a fac smile Of those worn by men,
pistol pocket included. Express surprise
at this to a certain Fifth avenue habit
maker, who is patronized extensively by the
smart Get, and he in turn looks surprised
mo, Of course not" he says in answer
to question. MY latest designs Of
women's riding dress are not likely to be
seen in Central park. In fact. l may say
they are never seen there. for the reason
that most Of my patrons are skilled riders
women who have ridden since they were
children, and who don't care for anything
80 tame a ride in the park. Besides
they, are never in town except In mid
winter, a season when few women riders
are seen in the park. After the holidays
they are off to the southern resorts; in the
spring they go to their country houses or
take a trip to California or cross the ocean
to ride on the other side.
The popularity of riding astride can't
be judged by Central park. have orders
for twice as many riding astrtde habits this
spring as l had two years ago, and instead
of making only the divided skirt l have two
other styles equally popular. Both of these
have breeches. One iB worn with a short
skirt and short basque jacket, the other
without a skirt and with long tailed coat
at least a long tailed coat is ordered with
the breeches, but often the breaches are
worn with a short Jacket or only a shirt
waist The long coat is for dress up"
The breeches displayed by the tailor
were cut a triie fuller perhaps than those
worn by a man. a pickering OF the material
at the inner seam giving an increased
looseness over the knee, but with this
exception they were a fac simile of another
pair displayed which will be worn by a man
rider. The long coat 70 match the breaches,
made also OF a very dark brown habit cloth
crossed with fine stripes OF mixed green,
was not unlike a mans long double breasted
frocx coat fitted smoothly at the back and
sides, the skirts attached about three
inches below the waistllne.
This coat reaches to within SIX or seven
inches of the floor when the wearer is
standing and when she is on the horse the
tails reach the stirrups,
The short skirt to be worn with the
breeches is novel. II is about the length
of the skirt usually worn in playing golf
and is somewhat circular in cut with pleats
back and front. 1t buttons from top to
bottom, back and front under a ny when
worn of the horse. When riding It be-
| comes a loose short divided skirt by UNI
buttoning the two parts
| The divided skirt most in favor at this
tailors establishment Is boomers and
skirt combined formed OF deep straight
pleats, which suggest pleated trousers more
than a skirt