Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-04

degree OF apparent comfort except on
chairs and touches that nave many cush-
ions. The clinging sheath skirts are more
adapted for the half reclining position that
Madame Recamier made famous in her
noted portrait The woman who is painted
In such a gown will always do we'll to
have a greyhound curled at her feet rather
than a French bull.
Before a woman can wear them at all
to advantage she must practice walking
in skirts that not only are extremely mar
row. but rest upon the floor, unstiffened
for several inches in front and at the sides,
while the back trails on the ground con-
siderably. II is no small feat to walk in
such a skirt.
Rolling Helps Some.
II the would-be Directoine girl has a
waist and hips of extra girth she must get
rid OF them, for the corset alone does not
solve the problem of the new gowns. The
very best manner in which to get rid Of
hips, waist and heavy torso generally is
declared by some to be rolling over and
over in the manner of a child rolling down
a hill. Indeed, II rolling downhill were
possible for grownups it would readily
cure this form OF obesity.
The rolling process, which must be done
on the floor. looks difficult and unpleasant
and requires some determination on the
part of the roller. After the first expert
ment. no matter how slight, 1t will be
found that the joints ache and there is
some Stiffness Therefore it is best to do
the rolling Immediately on rising and be-
fore a bath on retiring.
Soon the first disagreeable symptoms
pass off, the flesh begins to soften up and
after a month of the rolling exercises,
even once a day, the girth Of the hips and
torso will have decreased noticeably, while
a decided limberness will exist that is the
true requisite for the short waisted gown.
A large sheet is spread. upon the floor
and the head may be bound In a towel TO
protect the hair. A dark kimono bath
robe, or better yet pajamas, are the gar
ments for rolling.
The roller lies at full length upon the
sheet and rolls evenly and firmly, but not
roughly over and over again, turning com
pletely. the hands over the head or In
whatever position position is most com
Portable. Half a dozen turns are sufficient
for the first time. After that the number
may be increased.
The very stout woman will find the ex-
arcise more strenuous than the one who ia
merely endeavoring to get off a few
inches. but she should bear in mind that
even the ordinary light gymnastics OF the
physical culturists will result in stiffness
and soreness often for a week or more
until the flesh and the muscles harden
themselves to the processes.
Then the d'rectoire girl learns TO get into
the new corsets, to accustom herself TO
the idea OF tights rather than pet%ticoats'
to walk In a gown that is ready to trip
her at every step, to sit down and to rise
easily, to get into cars and cabs, climb
stairs, kneel I'm church.
Getting the POise,
But all this is Comparatively easy in
comparison with the portrait pose and
manner, which will come hard for the
energetic American woman to master.
Yet il she does not moderate her buoyant
independence of tone and speech and ges-
ture, her way OF doing things for herself
she Will be incongruous in the new slimsy
skirted gown.
One actress has taken a regular training
in wearing the new gowns and a remark
able improvement is noted In her case, for
while she always wore modern own
~gorgeous!y she never quite looked any
thing but a remarkably effective show
girl. Now her head bends p%rettily and
her body undul0tes as she walks, 'thougi
her speciality In past days was to hold her
self like a TamTod. When she sits down
she sits on her spine. hut quite necessary
for the lines Of the tunic draped skirt
She has many cushions about and leani
on them. she carries flowers and wears
them in place OF the diamond toads and
lizards she once sported. This v all par
OF the directolre pose.
The steps must be measured. and q