The Latest American Fad.

Manawatu Herald, 1 December 1904, Page 3

The Latest American Fad.

, The fashion in dainty footwear in the metropolis at the present time is tending towards the gradual abolition of the pointed toe. Fashion is slowly reverting to the more sensible broad or hygienic-shaped article. This fact (says the london Daily Chronicle) will undoubtedly lend itself to the adoption of the new fad in foot exercise which very shortly is to be' introduced into London. This is known as foot massage, and has caught on to a considerable extent in America, where the idea originates. This massage treatment, the latest fad amongst fashionable pedicures, is applied to make the feet pliable and graceful. The treatment takes about half an hour at each visit, costs about os, and is said to require a three months’ trial to complete the cure, A’t the end of that time the toes of the dainty foot are expected to respond to individual control as easily and as flexibly as the fingers; “ The treat-

ment ia v- y R^p j C) f understand,” kud n West End chiropodist who WAS discussing the \ “ find, like most fads, it comes from America. TI.o process was originated | and taught to others by a man who | used to have a large clientele in the Turkish baths, but who has now retired from business. The toes are twisted and wrung one at a time, until they are as pliable as a baby’s. Then the patient is told to exercise i them. '1 here are five movements 1 up, down, right, left, and rotary. In ■ America a great deal of this sort of | work is done for ladies, particularly | those who have to dance tipoh the 1 stage, or those who hhVe crippled | thou' feet by wearing ill-fitting i shoes.” A boot specialist in St, ; Jiiraea-street stated : -“ It will un- ! doubtedly tend to a more graceful ■ carriage of the body. It will result : in a more general use of the widerj toed boots ahd shoes, and will do | away with the obvious discomfort ! arising from the pointed toes, and—incidentally—improve the temper.” | Whether the idea will become popui lar in England is a question only to be decided by events. Still, it is a novel one but decidedly American.