HINTS TO LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 183, 11 January 1878, Page 7

HINTS TO LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

Riding habits partake of the sty^e of the modern dress, and the skirts art! shorter and no.t-.,«0 full as formerly. With regard to the bodices, there i< little or no change ; for good style it is impossible th.it they can be to plain — the ed^es bound with braid and silk buttons tbe colour of the habit, are the trimmings admissible. Velvet collars, ornamental braiding, and bodices with reverse opening over a habit shirt, are never worn by ladies who understand how to di'ess for riding. White or light gloves are generally worn, and ladies will find it advisable to wear them with more than one button, so as to avoid the danger of the wrist between the glove and the cuff being exposed and becoming sunburnt. Plain linen cuffs and the sleeves of the habits are this year made to fit very closely. The tall riding hat is perhaps a trifle lower than in former years, and the abolition of chignons obviates the necessity of balancing it over the nose, as was the case two or three years since; the hair being dressed closely to the head, the hat now rests firmly upon it. A fold of black net with short ends is worn round the hat by those ladies who do not wear veils. Those who do, wear black with a small spot ; but in hot weather these are far from good for the complexion, and it is better to substitute a white veil with black spots, though it, does not look so smart. Wideawake hats and straw hats with feathers are unsuitable nowadays, and are only worn by young ladies not yet " come out." All floating decorations, such as lace ties or' neck ribbons, .must be avoided. A plain silk necktie may be worn, if wished, inside the collar, tied in the in the smallest, possible bow ; but such things as muslin ties with lace ends are in the worst possible taste, and so also are long and obtrusive earrings. t Son c ladies place their handkerchief in tbe front of the bossom of their habit : but it does not look well, and is much better in its appointed place in the pocket, of the saddle. There is no objection to a flower being worn in the front of the habit if it is desired. There is one or two errors into which those ladies even who are good riders, in so far as nerve .and experience are concerned, are very apt to fall, which detract much from the grace of their appearance. The most, common of these is the habit of allowing the right foot, to project towards the horse's ueck instead of bending it back as far as it. is possible to do so. It has a most awkward appearance, and merely requires a little thought to correct ; it draws tbe habit out of its correct folds, and gives an air of carelessness and insecurity to the seat. Another common error v that of squaring out the elbows, which gives a very ungraceful appearance ; they should be kept close to the sides, and tbe hands as low and as far back as possible. Some young ladies have a habit of holding the right hand, Avith the whip in it, straight down by their side, but it is not a correct position, and gives the impression that tbey have never ridden, save in a riding, school. A,dady should always remember to sit as far back in her saddle as possible, and also that her position should be perfectly square, one shoulder not advancing before the other.