Fashions in Footwear

Southland Times, Issue 22767, 18 December 1935, Page 12

Fashions in Footwear

SENSIBLE HEELS AND DARKER COLOURS. Low-heeled shoes were once looked on as a country fashion, and if not purely connected with sport suggestive of a dowdy tendency. It is not so today, states a London fashion correspondent. Paris, even more than London, chooses a square, sensible sort of heel for the dark calf and leather shoes, that, for the moment, is the “chic" wear with the morning tailor-made. Brown calf, crocodile in many dark tones, gunmetal grey, darkest bronze-red and an equally deep shade of green, a navy that is nearly black—are all good style. The lower heel has a military air; this is even noticeable on quite lightweighted models. Antelope and suede are made up in as practical a manner as leather’ and calf. ' Often the two substances are used together in successful harmony. Patent leather in these darker colours is introduced to brighten up the ultra-dark leather or dull suede. Shoes are cut higher, especially for wearing with the rougher cloths and tweeds. With the smarter ensemble this higher cut is very noticeable. It is more comfortable and better fitting. Shoes so cut can look very smart and some show a plain metal buckle, a pleated leather front or a petersham bow. There is a great feeling for the brown patent leather. Bronze is again worn for quieter semi-evening or day. Bronze is often seen with a lighter stocking and a black dress. For most evening functions the plaited gold and inserted high-cut high-heeled shoe, fashioned on the newer sandalled lines with straight high heels, are about the best purchase.

I can recommend the all-silvered shoe of the same type. The latter is charming with white or any light frocks, just as the golden model goes so well with the new craze for rather sombre hues. Does hosiery really change as much as the hosiers would like us to think? Each season there are many attempts at sensational hosiery, but unless very daring or practical such innovations have slight hold on well-dressed women. Clox are either absent or almost invisible. For sport hand-knitted silk and silk and wool mixtures are as popular as ever. Many women dislike allwool, but for tweeds they choose a tnesh and lustre that look like wool. Fragile flesh-coloured hose is pleasing with plain black crepe satin and velvet shoes.