VOGUES IN SHOES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21281, 28 September 1934, Page 7

VOGUES IN SHOES

AMERICAN FASHIONS

ATTENTION TO HEALTH

There is a "new deal" ahead for shoes and for feet, according to a writer in an American journal. Variety is entering the footwear world and women will have the fun of changing from one type of shoe to another. This, experts consider, is very good for the well-being of the feet. Vamps are longer, insteps higher, heels are lower —these are the footnotes for spring, it is said. Very flat-heeled shoes, not only for daytime, but for evening as well, are being worn. This is a radical change, and while it may not prove a popular evening fashion, it is decidedly a smart one. The heels on these sandals are about one inch high . . . and some are even heelless. This vogue for low heels may be traced to the popularity and comfort of the beach sandal. Many smart women have been going heelless for several seasons on the beach, and it was from this that the fashion has gained impetus. The low heel looks well and not. extreme in sports shoes. They make much use of cord and tassels as trimming.. In the afternoon and evening picture, this fashion becomes more fanciful. Braidings, lacings, ties, and clasps serve to hold the shoes on the feet. The writer states that when one wants a shoe for afternoon this season, the best choice is of kid or calfskin, made a little softer and very much more dressy by myriad perforations, or fanciful inserts of mesh. There are many shoes of this type, almost classic now, for they have been repeated with success season after season. They fill a definite need between the sports shoe and the evening slipper, and are certain to enjoy just as much popularity this year as last. There is some indication of patent leather, but with the wide choice it is not expected to reach great popularity. The boulevard and higher heels are most in demand in this type of shoe. The manager of a city shoe firm stated yesterday that the spring fashions would be in court and tie shoes, with white as the popular colour. Brown was definitely going out. The trade in evening shoes was about finished, and now only six or seven pairs of evening shoes would be sold a week, wtjere 30 or 40 pairs had been sold \vhen the season was at its best. He remarked that the demand for sporting shoes, for tennis, the beach, and boating, was greater now than it had ever been, and, in addition, it was being made earlier than was usual. His firm had placed their orders on the basis of business last year, and it had been found that it had been impossible to meet the enquiries. This season, he said, shoes were cheaper.

ON THE BEACHES

PREPARING FOR THE SUMMER

Although it is too early for the beaches, women are giving some thought to the beach wraps and pyjamas they will wear this summer. The bright colours that women use give an attractive appearance to the beaches near Christchurch, and few men will complain about this recent fashion.

Few but the most hardy will sacrifice comfort to smartness, and the trend in Sydney indicates that women are becoming more particular about the cut, colour, and contour with which they will appear when the days are warm and attractive enough for them to go to the beaches. Many girls have been busy with their knitting and crochet for the beaches, and some already have the most attractive suits, with coats and bags to match, and those absurd Russian caps, which look so smart, but are useful only for keeping the top of the head in order. So well cut are slacks these days that well-dressed girls seem to be favouring them more than they did, and not a few talk of wearing long-skirted beach robes. These must be well cut, and it is probable that they will be chosen only when it is found that not too many others'intend to do likewise.