TOE THE LINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23044, 21 November 1936, Page 26

TOE THE LINE

The most unhappy thing about tired and painful feet is the fact that they age one so. You may have never realised. unless your attention has been especially called to it, how much a woman’s walk is responsible for her general attractiveness—appeal (says an exchange). Watch women moving past you, and just take a mental note of how outstanding are the ones who walk with a care-free grace and buoyancy. A young women, who walks painfully, can add quite 10 years to her appearance, while the woman of 50, with care-free feet and “ spring ’’ in her step, may deceive you into thinking her 40. instead of half a century! Apart from perfect pedicure, your walk, your poise, are dependent upon balance. And the real foundation of balance is the shoes you wear. Some most interesting facts have been brought to light by the surgical department of a famous university concerning the feet. Just listen to this: “The balance of the foot in motion has been the subject of the most exhaustive research. A corrective guiding of the weight throughout the step, so that there is a smooth, even advance of weight-bearing, until the step is completed is what makes a rhythmic, graceful, and incidentally, perfectly comfortable walk. “Wobbling, which is so unlovely, is caused primarily by shoes that are not well fitted, resulting in the weight being thrown off the centre at every step. Or, of course, by too high heels —‘spindle’ heels. “The height of the heel you should wear is entirely a question of what is comfortable for you. Some women revel in the heel from one inch to an inch and a-half in height, while the same heel is uncomfortable to a different type." I, for instance, am most unhappy in low heels. Each time I wear my golf shoes I suffer agonies in the backs of

my legs. I possess a very arched instep which demands the support of a high heel. But I have my shoes specially made for me, and always see that the base of this heel is wide enough to give my weight ample support, There is no "wobbling” as I walk! I have, alas, difficult feet—they are short and broad —and I am compelled to resort to the luxury of hand-made shoes. A definite extravagance in these days when one can buy such charming and beautifully modelled ready-made shoes. And at a third of the price! Any shoemaker will tell you that the wise woman her summer shoes one size larger than her winter ones. Not only will this ensure absolute comfort, but safeguard her complexion against the “ pain furrows ” so many pretty ladies acquire during the heat-wave season. I, personally, am willing to allow vanity to fly to the winds when I give a thought to the horror of a swollen foot in a too tight shoe! Foot hygiene is most important during the warm, summer months. Bathe the feet as often as you can, adding to the tepid water your favourite bath cubes, or antiseptic, to banish any inflammation. and dust the feet daily with your pet talcum powder.