The Footsteps of Fashion

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 520, 24 November 1928, Page 20

The Footsteps of Fashion

Making Wise Selections With Regard to Clothes

It is astonishing to look upon the modern shoe —and then backward at women’s shoes of not many years ago. Why, then women seldom indulged in more than two or three pairs and at that thought they were extravagant. Too. we really did not have much opportunity to even see the shoes, so buried were they beneath voluminous and sweeping skirts. But to-day—how changed! indeed, the smart woman has outgrown the statre where separate shoes are even considered as isolated parts of one’s attire. The fashionable woman of to-day dresses in ensembles —and whenever she indulges in a new ensemble a new pair of shoes is an inevitable part of the whole. And yet, lightly as she indulges in her almost extravagant demand for shoes, she takes the shoes themselves very seriously, for no part of the modern costume is so vividly visible — so much the inevitable object of critical glances. ' Shoes, therefore, have become as complicated as the mode itself—and tlio wearing and choosing of shoes is an art. We walk into a modish shoe shop—there are indeed hundreds of models before us—shoes of every conceivable kind, from dainty, delicate little things, almost too frail in appearance to seem wearable, down to heavy brogues which look like small men’s shoes. We see shoes in every colour known to man, from black to grey, brown to cream, green, blue and red and silvers and gold as well. What then ? Our shoe to-day is a most accurate index, indeed, of our fashion knowledge, for without keen fashion sense as well as most excellent good taste we cannot possibly find our way safely through the confusing arrays before us. On the other hand, unless we do find our way, and in a completely successful manner, we stamp ourselves immediately as behind the times and dowdy. SHOES FOR EVERY FROCK To begin with, there are shoes for every occasion—and life to-day divides itself into many. More than that, there are shoes for every kind and colour of frock within each of those many occasions. Still more than that, there are shoes for every foot in addition to every kind and colour within each of those many occasions. It’s quite as bad as the nursery tale about the House That Jack Built. Every clever modern woman discovers what lasts she must wear—for a shoe that does not fit is merely an

unpardonable bit of ignorance—and a shoe that is too small is as ridiculous as possible. Knowing this, she then begins to complete her wardrobe as far as shoes are concerned. Shoes offer far less of a problem than any other part of her wardrobe, however, for by the time she gets to shoes there is no choice —the shoe is almost automatically chosen by good taste. If she needs an evening slipper, then she merely matches a slipper to her frock. If she needs a street shoe, she merely decides between the modish reptile, kid or patent leather, and it may be that the several charming models will all so tempt her that it is a little difficult to choose. But the colour is distinctly governed by her ensemble, as well as the general type. CLEVER SHORT CUTS TO CHIC Where mistakes are made is with the woman of limited means or, even mope usual, bad taste. This woman does one of two things. She buys a shoe because she likes it—which is one of the last things to be considered in selecting just the right shoe. Or she tries to make one poor little pair of shoes go shopping and take tea. lunch and dine, dance and walk—everything. To be sure, most of us cannot buy shoes without end —but if these same shoes must do mapy duties, then we are careful to plan our whole wardrobe with these same economical ideas in view—there is no other way. There are simple pumps which actually can go shopping and later attend a tea with equal good taste. There are strap slippers in dainty kid which can accompany a long-sleeved afternoon gown as well as a very clever sleeveless dance frock. But these clever shortcuts to chic can only be taken by the extremely wise who know the way—the rest become lost in the jungle! And even the most economical of modern women make no attempt to walk a shoe out of its special group. Tennis shoes play tennis and nothing else. Street shoes walk -upon the street and make no attempt to accompany a soft afternoon frock. And evening is distinctly a realm of its own into which no other shoe may enter—nor does the well-trained modern shoe attempt to do so. There is a time and a place and a costume for every shoe —and the woman of to-day demands just this. Y'es, shoes are expensive, too —but what nice things are not? We merely use our wits and have less —but of that less we take the best and interpret it with flawless good taste!

AIRPLANE MOTIF APPLIED TO SHOES

Airplane hats had their day and nowvthe inode of the shoe conforms to the lines of grace and speed. Vamp lines and trimmings have taken on new curves and to be authentic they must express the airplane motif. This is mainly expressed in straps and contrast overlays. Modernistic effects are obtainable in almost every type of shoe for women and even the new mode for men includes sweeping lines expressive of fleetness. NEW SHADES IN HOSIERY Two new hosiery shades that harmonise with shoes of the hour have been christened Dust and Peter Pan. The former is a neutral gray to be worn with gray and black shoes, and the latter is one of the many new honey tones to complement any shoe.

888P8688 888886: SBBB m. j EVENING SLIPPER IN THE GRAND MANNER The evening slipper is always directly behind the footlight on fashion’s stage, and at this time of the year it is spotlighted well. This season will bring out the loveliest new frocks, and slippers must be “in the grand manner” to fittingly accompany them. DISCRETION BETTER PART OF SELECTION Matched accessories to harmonise with the costume are subtle additions to the ensemble, but stylists are warning the women of fashion to use discretion. It is chic to match the bag to the shoes, but if chic is the end in view, discretion is the better part of selection.