THE RATIONAL DRESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 34

THE RATIONAL DRESS.

Auckland, June 26. By the Tarawera, from Sydney, this morning, there arrived in Auckland a lady who has attracted some considerable attention, not devoid of admiration, during her stay in Sydney as well as her short sojourn in Auckland, owing to the fact that she braves the scoffs and jeers at the "advanced woman" and boldly wears trousers— at least, if she does not exactly wear the male garment as ye see it, her nether costume so closely approaches it as to be to all intents and purposes the bifurcated garment. This rather plucky lady is a young Frenchwoman named Mademoiselle Genot. She is rich and is on a tour round the world. She says she has adopted bifurcations as a more suitable dress for travelling, and she has already done a good deal of globe trotting in trousers. Her costume, seen iv Auckland to- < day, was certainly a novel one. One of her suits is made of fine grey serge, and consists of a frock coat neatly fitted to the wai6t, the Bkirts reaching to the knees and falling over full Turkieh trousers ending in grey spats, neatly buttoned, collar and a tie, a small "Amazon" hat, and a light cane complete a very " natty " coßtume. Mademoiselle Genot is a prepossessing lady, speaks English well, and bears herself as if quite oblivious of the wonder whioh her novel dress excites. She is a bicyclist, and uses this costume also for bicycling.

Tastes differ as to the suitableness of the lady's dress. The Sydney Daily Telegraph Bays : — " The lady who is travelling with her husband created a sensation at the Lyceum Theatre by parading the 'foyer,' and behind the dreßS circle seats, evidently enjoying the astonishment of the onlookers. Her costume contrasted rather disadvantageous^ with the smart • get-up ' of Mrs Brough on the stage, and everyone asked why, if she mast appear in such a dress, madame did not have a special one made for evening functions. Loose grey knickerbockers, reaohing to the ankles, long tight-fitting coat, on a figure not of the tall elim sort, vest, collar, tie, and soft grey felt hat, not forgetting the walking stick, are more in keeping with the pedestrian art than in a decolletage assembly. The lady condescends to wear her hair in a funny little knot at the back, while the front is parted at the side and waved. We are afraid madame did not gain many admirers for the dress reform, but there is no doubt the novelty she presented was duly appreciated."

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