Improvements in Ladies' Skirts.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1895-Accepted, 28th Dec., 1895
Improvements in Ladies' Skirts.
We, CHARLES CAMPBELL, EDWIN WHITEHEAD STRINGER and WILLIAM
D'AGGERSTON TELFORD, trading as Campbell, Stringer and Telford, of
21 Old Change, London, E.C., Mantle Manufacturers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in ladies' skirts which though "divided,"
and thus rendered particularly applicable for wear or use when bicycling or
shooting, or when following any other pursuit or sport where freedom of action is
especially desirable, yet have the appearance of full skirts or ordinary walking
dresses when so preferred.
In accordance with this invention, we attach to a waistband the two portions of
the dress forming the divided skirt. These around the ankles we make very full,
and in front of the divided skirt we attach an apron which may be stitched to
one half of same and buttoned upon its edges to both sections of the skirt, thus
covering the division of the skirt and giving the appearance of a full or ordinary
skirt when walking if so desired. To allow the requisite freedom of action when
cycling, shooting, or the like, the front covering or apron aforesaid may be
unbuttoned upon one side and thus be released from that section of the divided
skirt, and be folded over and be buttoned upon the row of buttons upon the other
section of the divided skirt, thus leaving each section of the skirt free from the
other and permitting the wearer to easily mount and ride a bicycle, (even though
constructed with a top bar or back bone framing), to cross a stile, or climb a gate,
or to place one foot upon a raised rest for steadiness when shooting.
And in order that this our invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect, we will now more particularly describe same with reference to the
accompanying drawings and figures and letters of reference marked thereon, that
is to say:
Figure 1, is a front elevational diagram or view of the divided skirt, shewing
apron or front covering in dotted lines.
Figure 2, is a similar view, but in which the apron is shewn in full lines and the
inner edges of the divisions of the skirt in dotted lines.
Figure 3, is a rear elevational diagram of the skirt.
Figure 4, a rear elevational view of the skirt as draped around the figure of the
wearer when walking.
Figure 5 an elevational view of the front of the dress with apron buttoned across
in position for walking and giving the appearance of the ordinary full skirt; and
Figure 6 is a similar view but shewing the apron folded over and buttoned to
one side of the dress, thus giving perfect freedom of action to both portious of
the kirt.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in each of the figures.
a is the waistband to which is connected the two divisions b. c. of the skirt. These
as will be seen upon reference to diagrams Figures 1. 2. and 3, are preferably made
very full at the extremities around the ankles, and are fastened around the
body of the wearer by the ordinary fly front d, Figures 1. 2. and 6. e is the apron
or front covering stitched or otherwise attached to one side of the skirt at e¹ and
buttoned upon each edge f.f¹ respectively to the divisions b and c of the skirt for
the purpose, as when walking, for covering the division of the skirt and giving

page_text: same the appearance of the ordinary full skirt. As will be seen upon reference
to Fig. 4, the back of the divided skirt is cut sufficiently full to allow of same
draping or folding in such manner as to present practically the appearance of a
full skirt.
For convenience in bicycling or at any time when perfect freedom of action of
the legs of the wearer of the skirt formed or made in accordance with this inveo-
tion is required, the edge f¹, of the apron e is unbuttoned from the division c of
the skirt (sec particularly Figure 6) and is folded over upon the stitches or
attachment e and fastened to the buttons at f upon the other division 6 of the
skirt. This will allow unrestricted freedom of action to both legs of the wearer of
the skirt all as aforesaid.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim, is
1. The improvements in ladies' skirts substantially as aud for the purposes,
hereinbefore described.
2. The divided skirt constructed substantially as hereinbefore described in
combination with the apron or front covering shewn in, and described with
reference to, the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1895.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.