96 RIDING DRESS. 



other kind. There are several safety skirts, but it is 

 obvious that the best kind is one that is safe to ride 

 in, presentable when dismounted, and easily arranged, 

 which conditions are thoroughly fulfilled by my patent. 

 There are riding women who object so much to the 

 indecency of apron skirts (Figs. 55 and 56) that 

 they adopt the dangerous closed pattern. My skirt 

 would commend itself to those of my sex who are 

 sufficiently old-fashioned in their ideas to desire a safe 

 and, at the same time, decent and graceful covering. 

 Some ladies consider it " smart " to expose their 

 limbs, if we may judge from the free exhibitions to 

 be seen in the hunting field, while others, who are 

 aware of the unbecoming effect, have their breeches 

 made extra baggy behind ! 



The apron skirt is an extremely cold, comfortless 

 garment for winter wear, because it is merely a left-side 

 covering for the limbs, while the right side being 

 entirely unclothed, the lines and rotundity of the 

 figure are, when the wearer rises in trotting, dis- 

 played to the wondering gaze of those who ride be- 

 hind her. As, in the apron skirt, there is no cover- 

 ing of Melton cloth to sit on and take off some of 

 the wear and tear of the breeches, these garments 

 become quickly worn out at the seat, and necessitate a 

 double thickness of cloth at that part. There is 

 another kind of safety skirt which is a combination of 

 breeches and skirt in one ; but I consider this a very 

 unsanitary arrangement, for it is obvious that the under- 

 garment must be kept clean, and handed over when 



