92 THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. 



CHAPTER XII. 



Dress for Park Riding, and the Extended Paces. 



In no department of the charming art of dressing well is a lady so 

 much shackled by conventional usages as in her " get up" for riding. 

 In all other kinds of dress, from the full Court costume to simple 

 morning wrapper, such is the almost endless variety of style that 

 there is something to suit every woman, from the lady of high degree 

 to "Dolly Varden," and the "Molly Duster;" and the selection 

 made is conclusive as to the good or bad taste of the wearer. In 

 riding dress it is altogether different. " Chimney pot" hats, tight- 

 fitting jackets, and flowing skirts of orthodox dark rifle-green seem 

 to be de rlgueur^ whatever may be the figure, style, or complexion 

 of the wearer. I submit (and in this opinion I am borne out 

 by several accomplished lady riders, to one of whom I am indebted 

 for the following suggestions) that this is wrong, and that some 

 modifications as regards shape and colour would be advantageous 

 both as regards the comfort of the ladies themselves, and as a 

 matter of taste. 



To begin with head-dress. It is manifest that whereas a lady of 

 tall, lithe figure, with an oval Grecian style of face, and classical 

 contour of head, will appear to the greatest advantage on horseback 

 in a plain or gentleman's hat, and with her hair so arranged as to 

 show the outhne of the head and neck, one of the Hebe style 

 of beauty, particularly if slightly inclined to the " em&07i.," if so 

 accoutred, would not look by any means well. Yet one constantly 

 sees the same sort of head-dress worn by ladies whose general style 

 is in direct contrast, the reason presumably being that fashion admits 

 of such little latitude for choice. 



