262 HACKS AND HUNTERS 



Ladies' cross-saddle appointments: 



As stated elsewhere I do not advocate cross-saddle 

 riding for women, but as there seem so many doubts con- 

 cerning the manner in which a woman astride should 

 dress, a little advice on the subject may not come amiss. 



For a woman to be turned out exactly like a man, is, in 

 the nature of things, impossible. There is a wheel within 

 a wheel in appointments, and certain articles of clothing 

 call for others, so that the best that a woman can do is 

 to compromise on those most suitable for her particular use. 



For example, a top hat when worn by a man on a hack 

 calls for long blue military trousers and box-spurs; when 

 worn on a hunter it necessitates boots with flesh, pink, or 

 brown tops, and these, in turn, demand white leather or 

 cord breeches.* 



It is quite obvious that a woman cannot wear military 

 trousers, and, for that matter, neither does she look very 

 well in white breeches. In the following list of apparel it 

 is endeavored to get around these difficulties, and suggest 

 appointments that are both correct in themselves and yet 

 suitable for a woman's use. 



For general use, park wear, or for showing a hack: 



Black or gray bowler. 



White hunting stock, or collar and tie. 



Single-breasted skirt-coat. 



Brown cord breeches, buttoned on the inside of the 

 shin. (Coat and breeches should preferably not be 

 of the same color and material, as this looks like 

 a groom's livery.) 



Jack boots and garters. 



Spurs. 



Tan doeskin gloves. 



Swagger-stick. 



For riding or showing a hunter: 

 Black bowler and hat-guard. 

 White hunting stock. 



* Brown breeches and boots with patent-leather tops are occasionally 

 worn with a "topper" in Ireland, but it is not considered correct. 



