THE ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION OF DRESS
The All-important Question of Dress--Masks and Goggles are usually
unnecessary--“Nothing like Leather” is a False Cry--The best
Head-gear--A Neck-muffler is of the greatest Importance--Beware of
Rings and “fluffy” Things--The Question of the Overall--What the
Secret Drawer should contain--Hints about all Garments--Suggestion
anent carrying a Revolver
An all-important question is dress. Automobilists are nowadays more
careful in the choice of their attire, but there are still a goodly
number who seem to imagine it is impossible to look anything but hideous
when in an automobile. On a closed-in car, limousine or landaulette, any
kind of attire is permissible as the conditions are precisely the same
as being driven in a carriage, but with an open car neatness and comfort
are essential. When racing, or when in countries where speed is not
looked upon with such horror as in England--on the long, straight
seemingly never-ending, military roads of France, one can travel at a
speed that makes goggles or masks a necessity, but for motoring under
ordinary conditions there is no reason why one should wear them. It
might be borne in mind that I am writing this book for the woman who is
desirous of being her own driver and owning her own car; yet perhaps my
advice will be applicable to the whole sex. I average about 400 miles
per week--in all conditions of weather--all sorts of cars and all sorts
of places, and therefore speak from experience--in many instances dearly
bought.
Now, as to ordinary garments, dress for the season of the year exactly
as you would if you were not going motoring. I would advise shoes rather
than boots as they give greater freedom to the ankles and do not tend to
impede the circulation, as a fairly tightly laced or buttoned boot would
do, but this is a matter of individual taste. In winter time it is
advisable to wear high gaiters, have them specially made, almost up to
the knee.
As regards a frock--the plain “tailor-made”
[Illustration:
_Photo. H. W. Nicholls._
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ARTICLES OF WEAR IS A SCARF OR MUFFLER FOR THE
NECK]
with a shirt blouse of linen, silk or “Viyella” is without doubt the
most comfortable--and the wearer has the advantage, at the end of a
days’ run, of appearing trim and neat. Under no circumstances wear lace
or “fluffy” adjuncts to your toilette--if you do, you will regret them
before you have driven half a dozen miles.
Regarding coats--there is nothing like a thick frieze, homespun, or
tweed, lined with “Jaeger” or fur. The former has the advantage of being
lighter in weight than the latter and is just as warm and much less
expensive. In England in winter one can wear a coat of this description
right up to the beginning of summer. For summer itself, the ideal coat
is of thin cream serge. It retains its freshness and does not crease
like alpaca, linen or silk. The serge looks, and feels, smart all the
summer--the silk or alpaca, after its first hard day, begins to look
creased and shabby.
Do not heed the cry “nothing like leather.” Leather coats do not wear
out gracefully. At first they may be delightful, but when they have been
caught in two or three showers they begin to have a hard, stiff feeling
which is far from comfortable. I have, however, seen very pretty
costumes, coats and skirts, made of thin glove kid, or _suède_, but
these are luxuries, as they cost from twenty-five to thirty guineas
each.
As to head-gear, there is no question: the round cap or close-fitting
turban of fur are the most comfortable and suitable, though with the
glass screen up it is possible to wear an ordinary hat, with a veil
round it. However, if you go in for caps, see that they fit well--there
is nothing more uncomfortable than the cap that does not fit. It is a
good plan to have caps made to match your costumes. When fixing the cap,
pin it securely, and over it put a _crêpe-de-chine_ veil, of length
a-plenty. These can be obtained from most of the leading drapers, and it
is quite a simple matter to make them yourself with a length of _crêpe_
or washing silk. Before tying the veil, twist the ends. This prevents
the knot working loose and is very necessary, as the veil, in addition
to protecting the hair, helps to keep the hat securely in place.
[Illustration:
_Photo. H. W. Nicholls_
REMEMBER TO TWIST THE VEIL BEFORE TYING--THIS PREVENTS THE KNOT WORKING
LOOSE]
One of the most important articles of wear is a scarf, or muffler, for
the neck--and the manner of wearing it is also important. Fold it, then
wind round the throat, beginning at the front, bringing the ends round
from the back, and fold over in front. See that the throat is covered
closely, and not too loosely. Wearing this properly will save you all
manner of colds, sore throats and kindred sufferings.
Regarding gloves--never wear woollen gloves, as wool slips on the smooth
surface of the steering-wheel and prevents one getting a firm grip.
Gloves made of good, soft kid, fur-lined, without a fastening, and made
with just a thumb, are the ideal gloves for winter driving.
It is not advisable to wear rings. If you do not want to leave them at
home, or in a hotel, but want to wear them when you are indoors, during
your ride or tour take them off while on the car and stow them away.
Rings, when you are driving yourself, hurt terribly, and also the stones
are loosened. Bracelets and bangles are irritating unless secured by a
sleeve or glove from working up and down.
Indispensable to the motoriste who is going to drive her own car is the
overall. This should be made of butcher-blue or brown linen, to fasten
at the back--the same shape as an artist’s overall. It should have long
sleeves. You can always slip off your coat and put on the overall in a
moment--and it is necessary if you have anything to do in the car.
Remember it is better to get grease-spots on your washable overall than
on your coat or other clothes.
While there are several little repairs that it would be impossible to
remedy if wearing gloves, the majority of work on a car (filling tanks,
&c. &c.) can be done just as well if one’s hands are protected by a pair
of wash-leather gloves. You will find room for these gloves in the
little drawer under the seat of the car.
This little drawer is the secret of the dainty motoriste. What you put
in it depends upon your tastes, but the following articles are what I
advise you to have in its recesses. A pair of clean gloves, an extra
handkerchief, clean veil, powder-puff (unless you despise them),
hair-pins and ordinary pins, a hand mirror--and
[Illustration:
_Photo. H. W. Nicholls._
“THE USEFUL OVERALL”]
some chocolates are very soothing, sometimes!
It is also advisable to carry a tablet of “Antioyl” soap. If it has been
necessary to use bare hands for a repair you will nearly always find
some grease on your hands, and this it is impossible to remove with
ordinary soap. Of course it is possible to remove it with a little
petrol, but I have found that petrol roughens the skin and that the
“Antioyl” soap is much better.
The mirror should be fairly large to be really useful, and it is better
to have one with a handle to it. Just before starting take the glass out
of the little drawer and put it into the little flap pocket of the car.
You will find it useful to have it handy--not for strictly personal use,
but to occasionally hold up to see what is behind you. Sometimes you
will wonder if you heard a car behind you--and while the necessity or
inclination to look round is rare, you can, with the mirror, see in a
flash what is in the rear without losing your forward way, and without
releasing your right-hand grip of the steering-wheel.
If you are going to drive alone in the highways and byways it might be
advisable to carry a small revolver. I have an automatic “Colt,” and
find it very easy to handle as there is practically no recoil--a great
consideration to a woman. While I have never had occasion to use it on
the road (though, I may add, I practise continually at a range to keep
my eye and hand “in”) it is nevertheless a comfort to know that should
the occasion arise I have the means of defending myself.
If you are driving alone a dog is great company. The majority of dogs
like motors and soon get into the habit of curling up on the seat by
your side, under your coat.
[Illustration:
_Photo. H. W. Nicholls._
THIS LITTLE DRAWER IS THE GREAT SECRET]