Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1896 — WILL WEAR SHORT SKIRTS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WILL WEAR SHORT SKIRTS.

Brooklyn Women Pledge Themselves to Reform Costume. > The first rainy day after the first Monday in October will be signalized in Brooklyn by the appearance of the Brooklyn Health Culture Club in t'aeir new “common sense” costumes. The club was organized only three weeks ago, with a charter membership of six well-known women. Already It has thirty-five members, and by the rainy day before mentioned it is expected that fully 150 Brooklyn society and professional women will have been enrolled. The object of the club is to set an example of hygienic living and sensiblo dressing. The President is E. Christine Lumsdon, the well-known portrait painter. Among the charter members are Mrs. Cornelia Hood, the lawyer; Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Manning, all prominent In the Brooklyn social world. The meeting at which the organization was perfected was held in Mrs. Lumsdon's studio. It was mad? a rule that every member should pledge herself to wear, on all occasions, save those demanding conventional full dress, skirts short enough to clear the ground by at least three inches. For

rainy or wet weather they have adopted a costume, consisting of bloomers or knickerbockers, a short skirt and leggings or boots, meeting the skirt at the knee. The waist is left to the pleasure of the wearer, and over all will be worn a light gossamer or mackintosh.

E. CHRISTINE LUMSDON.