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IN HER FIRST KNICKERBOCKERS.A. Pretty Cyclist Describes How She FeltIn Her New Costume.“Just as I was beginning to feel thoroughly at home everywhere in my shortskirt a friend of mine returned from Europe,” said the bloomer girl to hertkirted sisters. “Shecameat once to seetoe, and throwing a parcel at' me said‘Old girl, I’ve brought you the latest thing out in Paris in the way of a bicycle suit. ’ When I shook the suit out,' it was these, ” and the speaker pointed to the perfectly fitting garments that shewore, made of fine lady ’s cloth of a rich mahogany color. ‘Where’s the skirt?’ Iasked in a trembling voice. ‘ Skirt! ’ my friend said, with a shriek of laughter. ‘Surely you didn’t expect a Parisian cycling costume to have a skirt! Why, I didn’t see a skirt on a wheel the wholetime I was there. The women there notonly ride in rationals, as I call the]but walk about the streets and shops in the most showy bloomers and knickersthat I ever beheld. I’ll venture to say that half of them don’t own wheels, but they are simply mad over this free and easy costume, and what sensible person can blame them when one remembers that for years woman has been in thebondage of puffed sleeves and heavytrailing skirts?’ After her little sermon on dress reform I thought perhaps Icould go out in the suit after dark, and really the dainty white linen waist, the well cut coat, the heavy silk stockings and patent leather low shoes looked very tempting; but, oh, those bloomers!“My friend wore knickerbockers, andthat was a little consolation to me, because I felt that she would attract themost attention. At first I felt six feettall, and my feet looked immense as Iwent to mount. Naturally I made amovement to adjust my skirt, and when there was none there to adjust I actually felt sick to think that I was in the streets of New York without a skirt. We took to Central park, and my companion reassured me, and soon I forgot all about my knicks. My only sensationwas one of lightness and freedom, and when we came down the Boulevard onour return and I had to dismount like lightning to keep from being run into by a cable car I owned up that I wouldnever ride in anything else again, and I never shall.”—New York Sun.
Newspaper Details
Mount Vernon Chronicle
Mount Vernon, New York, US
Thu, Aug 08, 1895
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
GB 12 Aug 2021
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Mount Vernon Chronicle
