NO LONGER "HOBBLED."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1048, 10 February 1911, Page 9

NO LONGER "HOBBLED."

Some lime ago I recorded the advent of the trouser skirt in connection with the second edition of the "Arcadians," >ays an English writer. We now have news that M. Paul Poirer, the well-known Parisian dress expert, purposes to popularise a "harem skirt," modelled upon the Turkish pattern. -As a preliminary stop, his mnniicriiiius arc to be nttiredin a lonj, leoje, divided skirt, fitting tightly, at enchmikle. 51. Paul Vbirct is by no means' apologetic about his intention. .Indeed, ho qlories in -it, stating that the hobble skirt has" had. its (lav, and his clients are tivin? of tho ungainly gait, which it makes'obligatory. "Uio Turkish ladies' ccstiinic has Ion.? appealed to ine as boin? most sensible, hygienic and graceful. Moreover, it compliesper/eotly with the- preseiit-dny craze for skirts, which arc tislit at the ankles, only instead of having her 'movements impeded by a single skirt, woman is to have a skirt to each-ankle.;' Petticoats will not be worn; but 51. Poiret will permit-in-dividual wearers: to judge ns' to-whether the division should bo high or low. 51. Poiret suggested that- the- "harem skirtwill bo.unrivalled as a'walfein? "cos'tunie. It will. l»'equally" suitable for theatre use. Finally, the-"hiirein-skirt," lie says, will ' add; to' th* beauty-of the feminine form as-no'other mode has done.- That your readers may not regard th« -proposal as an amiable jest, it may bemadded that M. Paul Poiret-is. tho dressmaker who Was honoured by the famous invitation to Downing Street. Some time ago ho exhibited a selection of his-gowns to Mrs. Asruiith's friends, his charming; manncouins perambulating'up and down the hallowed walls, utterly- unconscious of the shades of "Wellington, Peel, Palmerstop and Gladstone. It will be recalled that London dressmakers were by no means pleased at the grand advertisement given by the Prime Minister's wife to a rival Paris 1 ""!! fipn. The protest will be renewed if Mrs. Asquith's genero« ; assists- 51. J Poiret to'Hst .the "harem r.kirt"'.'\ipon unwillinj British womanhood. *' Meanwhile, the ; gown" which it-.is to. supersede has "reached. its final jok'o. Hero it is— -"" -'■ - ".:.""' . Young Lady,—"Please, show mo your oitremest style of hobble skirt." v . Assistant.—"For yourself?" ■■ Young'Lady.—"No; for my chaperon."