attire—-instance what he says about "the belt or hoop," which is apparently a metaphorical representation of the bands with which petticoats and skirts are usually fastened; but they nevertheless are, in the main, true, and the subject is deserving of attention.
I have said that one of the great objects which it is desirable to attain in dress is to obtain the maximum of warmth with the minimum of weight. As already shown, the use of all-wool materials goes a long way towards the attainment of this end; but it may be furthered also by the construction of garments. The petticoats and skirts ordinarily worn are decidedly the heaviest part of the dress; hence it is necessary that some reform should be effected in these.
Ordinarily cotton drawers are worn, and if the legs feel cold, extra petticoats are piled on; moreover, as these articles of dress hang loose from the legs and allow the cold air to get up underneath them, the warmth they give is quite inadequate when compared with their extra weight. By substituting woollen for cotton drawers, we do much to lessen the number of petticoats required; but a still greater advantage may be gained by clothing each leg separately, as the passage of cold air which takes place beneath the petticoats is hereby avoided. This advantage is offered by the divided skirt. As may be seen in Fig. 14, the skirt is very like a loose pair of trousers, and it is made to fasten at the side like buttoned drawers. It may be made of any warm woollen material, or even of
