The Washington herald., 1910-02-26
WOMEN IN HUNTING FIELD.
Proper Feminine Costume for Rid
ing to Hounds In England.

Proper Feminine Costume for Rid
ing to Hounds IN England.
'Ts It not so very many years since
the safety habit, worn exclusively by the
Dlanas OF the present day, was looked
upon as a very fast garment" says
writer in the Queens. "a garment not on
any account to be worn by lady with
a shred OF modesty, because when dis
mounted the riders legs were visible from
the back.
Gradually, very gradually. through
| the medium OF various so-called patent
safetles-many OF which. by reason OF
| their extreme decency. were Just as la
| bic to get hung up as the ordinary riding
/ skiFt-the mind Of the people began TO
expand, with the result that the apron
skirt OF the present day was al length
adopted as the only possible garment
not only for safety's sake but for neat
ness also
Even then no apron was ever sent out
without its satellite In the shape of small
apron OF thin cloth which was carried
underneath the main apron Ito the inside
Of which It was attached by button),
whence it was detached and worn at the
| back by the rider when she was dis
mounted. Hunting women of the present
| day are far too sensible TO allow them
selves to be bothered by any such unnec-
| essary membranes and realize that
| provided the boots and breeches are
nicely cut, a glimpse OF these can offend
nobody.
An apron skirt. therefore. of the stout
est melton cloth. the heavier the better.
| IS the correct wear, the coat being OF
slightly less heavy make. the fashion
of the cut Of this depending entirely upon
| individual taste and figure For stout
person a tight or semi-htting coat is pre-
ferred. a loose coat being apt 70 give
rather 'f1oppy' appearance.
i am not in favor OF the extravagantly
| low cut openings as affected by many
/ ladies OF the smart world. To me they
SAVIOR OF the Bois de Boulogne or Hyde
Park rather than the hunting field and
offer no protection whatever against the
various types OF weather which the hunt
/ ing woman must be prepared 10 meet.
Down to the point Of the breastbone makes
/ a sensible opening. and above this about
an inch OF waistcoat, either white or yell
! low-not red. unless It be a part of the
/ hunt uniform-has a smart effect.
| above all. it is desirable 10 go to a
| first class tailor. II is economical I'm
/ the long run, for a really we'll cut habit
Will always hold its own and look smart,
/ even when worn and discolored, whereas
| garment Of inferior cut loudly proelalrns
| It's own imperfections from the very first,
hot
every one else. Dipping at the back of
| the neck is a most common fault. and
| great attention should always be paid to
this point when fitting. the head being
/ bent little forward as when riding.
/ For full dress-with a silk hat, for in
/ stance-a black or almost black smooth
| cloth makes the best effect, colored or
| rough cloths presenting q more multi
! like appearance.
/ Great attention should be paid 10 the
cut and fit Of the breeches, these being
nowadays one OF the most important
points in the turnout Of a smart woman.
Many ladies prefer them to be of the same
material as the habit, in which case the
! Matchmaker usually supplied the breeches.
/ This is by no means always satisfactory,
the habitmaker's skill as regards the cut
ting OF breeches being as a rule some
what undeveloped. and, indeed, unless
! great stress Is laid on the matter of the
knee buttons being made 10 fasten down
the inside of the shlnbone they may be
discovered half way around the outside
/ of the leg. to the unspeakable horror of
ones male relatives. pair Of well cut
feathers. though an expensive luxury, will
outlast for or five pairs OF cloth or even
cords. and are, besides, warmer. smarter.
and more practical
Boots form another important item.
Black calf with soft legs are the present
! fashion and should be buttoned on to
the breaches back and front Dy the loops
provided for that purpose. II a spur be
worn-and 1t is not recommended, save
| for the most experienced horsewomen-
| II should be worn In the right place. l. e.,
on a level with the ankle and not half
way down the heel It is important,
| therefore, that the under strap be rather
more than twice the length Of the top
one. The boot garters, which ought to
be half an inch wide. should be cut to
the size Of the leg for which they are In
tended. so as not to leave long ends to
bangle about. these producing an appear
ance only a degree less slovenly than
when the boot tags are not properly
pushed down into the boot
Diving deeper into the mysteries of the
toilette, it may be mentioned that the
corset plays a considerable part In the
general effect, and should. above all, be
cut low both back and front in order to
avoid the stiff, pushed up effect of high
corset. Both for comfort and appearance
| it should be soft and pliable, with elastic
let in to allow full play to the movements
| of the body. Riding gloves should be two
full sizes larger than those worn for
ordinary visiting. strong leather without
stitchings being the most sensible and
workmanlike"