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Gymnasium Suits For Women

Gymnasium Suits For Women image
Parent Issue
Day
20
Month
January
Year
1897
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Mrs. Dr. Mosher, tlie Wouian's Dean, ' contribuí s the followingarticle in regaid to the uew suit8 worn by ladies in gymnasim work, to the U. of M. D.iily : 'Ni'w applianees, like new laws, are mude k) meet new needs. The evolutiui "i the gymnasium suits for wonien, uot been the result of faahion as iniicli as of the needs presented by the work itself. "Wlien vromen were first foriiied into rlasses for the pnrpose of ex,ercise, it ! was fonnri that uiuvement was difficult iu the ordinary dress for street or house, and so a shorter one was adopted. havinsr u loose waist and larger sleeves. Uniformity added to the pioturesqueness of the group of exercisers, ainl soou gymnasium costuines came to le made alter the same pattern and of the same material. Wlien blouse fwaists becoiue fashionable, tlicy were found to be peculiarly suited to physical work, and soon became a part of the regulation suit. With sume variations they liave been worn up to the present time in most of the gymnasiums for wonien throughout the country. "The short skirt answered its purpose well, as long as ealesthenics and parlor expnrises onlv were attempted, but when Dr. Sargent and others began to watch the work of the gymnasium as a process of plr sical education, movements were introduced which demanded a freedom of body to which the flowing skirt offered a dangerous impediment. To meet the new need the full Turkish trousers were adopted, but they were homely, and withal gave to the wearer an air of masculinity offensive to good taste. Tliey soon iave place to the wide skirt, banded bolow the knee, and this to the present pattern which combines utility with sjrace and beauty. "The blouse waist answered its purpose until corrective work become a prominent part of the system of body developnient. The blouse conceals the outlines of the trunk as completely as does the widow's vell,or the scholastic gown. This new need lias been met by the introduction of the "Bodice Suit," flrst worn in November, wlien the new gymnasium for women was opened. It consists of a well shapec half waist, fastened to the skirt (per manently) by a pointed girdle or belt of the same material. It is worn over a light weight "Jersey waist" or an ordinary catnbric or silk shirt waist To this it is fiistened at the shoulders by well fitted bands, which extend upward trom its front and back. I i this waist the outline of shoulders and trunk, as well as the scapulae can be seeu by the director, and she is able, even trom a distancie, to detect bad postmes and incorrect movements wli ich the blons would have concealed. Besides utility, the new waist is a garment which adds rather than detraets from the gracp of the figure. "This suit lis a le n perfected and is presented for sale by Miss Walton, corner of State and William sts. A pattern of it is kept at the women's gymnasium where iny one can obtain it who will take the trouble to cut it out. Women already provided with suits made after the old pattern are not required to change them, but those who are obliged to purchase new ones are expected to furnish themselves with the more modern garment.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Courier