THE NEW FEMALE GARMENT.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1030, 31 January 1882, Page 4

THE NEW FEMALE GARMENT.

A writer in the London World describes the new dress as follows :—“ I had heard and read of the Ladies’ Dress Reform Association, with Viscountess Haberton for its high priestess, but I had no idea the reform had made any practical progress in England last week, when I actually twice stumbled against ladies in the new garb in the streets of London—one in Bond-street and the otherin Cromwellroad. Well, lam bound to say 1 like it. To be sure, the ladies I happened to see in it were both handsome and well set up, carrying themselves like queens. But really in itself there appears nothing objectionable, and the dress certainly contributes freedom of movement, and, I should imagine, the comfort of the wearer. It is for all the world like a riding habit cut short to just above the ankle, exhibiting merely the extremities of the trousers. I must mention them. Only, instead of the dress and nether garments being in cloth, those I saw were of a black brocaded silk stuff that fell gracefully and looked quiet and ladylike. Trousers worn thus, with a long skirt over them, are very different from the loud, vulgar Blomer costume of former efforts in this direction ; and it is just possible that the reform may spread. But to do so it must come from above, else society will not have it on any consideration. At the Ladies’ Dress Reform Association may be seen a specimen of this ‘ rational dress,’ as it is called. In this the trousers are made very wide, with a deep flounce at the extremity, which combines with the skirt worn over them, so that in all ordinary situations no person could possibly tell there was any difference from the present dress of a lady.”