The San Francisco call., 1910-07-30
20. X PUT ON
MUMMY lKlRI
Market Street Looks on and
Approves as Its Dashing
Wearer Strolls

II II
II real life, the hobble and it's logi-
cal successor. the mummy skirt? =?
All Paris has raved over them. New
York and Newport madly took them
up; it remained but for San Francisco
to put upon them it's seal of approval
which it did yesterday
Not that it was the first skirt of the
kind seen in this city.
Recent travellers abroad have re-
turned with the latest cut in garments
of the sort and indulged in wearin &
them at the Palace and ST. Francis
for the edifcation of every one from
bellboys up through the line. The dear
public in general, however. had no
voice in the matter. An auto whizzed
them TO the doorways and whizzed
them away and only those within the
sacred precincts saw them arrayed in
all their glory.
Now that is changed and the vulgar
masses likewise approve.
At least so you would have thought
could you have seen the curious.
gaping throng that followed in the
wake of young woman, smartIy
sowned in mummy dress direct from
Paris. who went for stroll along
Market street shortly after 4 o'clock
yesterday afternoon.
1t wasn't stroll exactly either.
for she minced along with little
siding steps and nearly upset once
or twice, much to the amusement of
the watchers. who urged her on as a
runner TO his goal.
Keep it up" one wag shouted hi
lariously; you'll make it.'
With nose tip tilted and cheeks
atiame she continued on her way, ap-
parently obliyious to the fact that the
first struggling two or three follow
ms her had Increased to 200 or possi-
bly, more. If crushing dignity could
take bodily form hers of the moment
certainly did. but unfortunately it
could not last, for in the new burst of
energy and steam she acquired her
new clothes suddenly had. their say
and impeded all attempts at rapid
progress.
Get on to her now" a shrin voiced
newsboy vociferated as she bent down
to pull the skirt in place to permit a
longer stride. 1t is an attitude we
have all seen. similar to the adjust
ment of a stocking that has slipped,
and henceforth marked her progress
through the admiring crowd. For
they did admire it. In spite of the
amused smiles, remarks behind hands
and louder ones destined to reach the
ears of the fair wearer, they appIauded
ha p1rf nf,~fr ~ a.
ing, and not only applauded, but the
bolder among the women wished to
emulate it.
"a model for one of the big cloak
houses" somebody in the crowd an
nounced. and maybe that, is what she
really was. If not, then there is only
one word of advice to give those who
believe in keeping in close touch with
the fashions. Practice navigation in
your new clothes in private before yoa
appear in public!
No matter how pretty the dress, how
striking the color scheme nor how
superb the figure it adorns. there is
bound TO be ridicule if the natural To-
comotion is interfered with so as TO
be exaggerated. And that was the
case with the daring feminine person
who astoniShed Market street yeSter-
day.
She had the dress and the figure and
the bold sweeping effect of the tout
ensemble that was necessary and de-
sirable, but she could not walk. much
less hurry, and in so trying she
brought upon herself a burst of merri-
ment from a good humored crowd that
bordered on the insulting.
Have you ever seen horse hobbled
in a field or by roadside? So was
she hobbled, only more so! And she
began to feel it herself before she
finally took refuge on a passing
streetcar.
Probably the outfit of black satin
and purple toque cost her $500, more
or less and it certainly looked as if
it was the first time she had worn it.
If so she gave the crowd a $500 joke
to amuse them. They laughed them
selves hoarse, some of them, and
others were enthusiastic to the verge
of twice the price. They all seemed
to overlook the fact that in another
two months. maybe, the ones who are
bound in mummy bands or ribbons
around the ankles will be the curl
osity of the hour and will be the cyno-
sure of all eyes in Market street. The
mummy has come to stay. so learn to
walk with three inch steps and you
wilp be happy!