New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-19
Plantation Habit the Mode
of the Moment with
French Horsewomen.
Paris, May s.

|
May in Paris: gladstone, glorious May
The chestnuts along the Champs Elysee are
bursting into flower and all the world is
gay. What is II in the springtme air OF
Paris. what Is that indefinable quality
which sets the blood dancing, the pulse
throbbng in unison with the rhythm
Surely there is nothing in all the universe
to compare with 1.-THE wonderful intoM-
eating atmosphere of this delicious city
How delightful is the morning promenade
in the Bois these sparkling spring morn
lings, along the Avenue des Acacias. where
men and women among the most elegant
In Paris congregate to see and TO be seen.
Riders fash gally past, many OF the wo-
men en- cavalier, which is the mode OF the
moment A charming blonde in well-cut
habit of iron gray cloth, the jacket round
ing over her supple hips, the pantalon skirt
trim and short enough TO admit an occa-
sIonal glimpse of smartly booted foot,
! her pretty face flushed with health and eX-
ercise smiling from under her jaunty three
/ cornered hat. draws many admiring
glances. Autre temps autre mpurs, and 1t
is indeed far cry from the early and mid
Victorian days when the correct costume
for equltation was long and flowing skirt
which ballooned about the tanks OF The
riders unfortunate mount in manner
which must have rendered him dangerous
| ly uneasy, with tiny, tightly fitting jacket
usually finished with a scalloped basque at
the waist and a wide lace frill at the open
neck all crowned by a Gainsborough hat
with a sweeping plume or a tall topper
bound about with a floating green or blue
veil. To go a-riding In those dim and dis
| tant days Of the past must have been
perilous undertaking. indeed, and II is
small wonder that horse exercise was prac-
tised by comparatively few.
Autre temps. autre mnurs is a truism.
no doubt. so far as manners and customs
are concerned, so why not as concerning
clothes?
| Consider, for instance. the evolution Of
the flowing Victorian riding skirt into the
| trim and practical amazon OF the present
day: but II is a truism that does not in
variably apply. for we do not often go
| 10 the past and 10 the far back past. In
search Of inspiration and ideas. Novelty,
novelty IL all the cry, and yet there IS
nothing new under the sun" IL is whis-
pored I'm the circles Of the most exclusive.
front corset has had its day and is
doomed TO die the death; that the slim, sill
houette, the grlsh outline which women
have striven so hard, even desperately. 10
attain IS 10 vanish from the scene and In
its place will be seen the sweeping curves
Of the statues OF ancient Greece. II is not
feared that the crlnoline OF old will be re-
vived, but from present indications 1t seems
probable that corsets will be slightly modi-
fed I'm form TO suit the momentary craze
for the high stomacEed effect given by the
coats copied from the period OF the Revolt
ton which all the houses have launched in
some degree this season. Is 1t possible that
this Is the shadow OF a coming event. the
return OF the old swan-blll corset, made
without stocking suspenders. and shall We
revert 10 the curved frontal outline be-
loved by the ancient masters OF italian
art, by the court ladies of the Plantageuet
| bv the clegantcs Of the eighteenth century
/ and, coming nearer TO our own day. by
the bellies OF the SOS. 50 graphically de-
picted by Du Maurer? 4 change so radi-
cal cannot. In any case, he erected al
once. but ~ women took fancy IN TINS
direction they would strive as passionateiy
10 appear curved as they did formerly 10
attain the ideal OF the straight, nat front.
and many would even resort 10 judicious