ANKLES THAT SPOIL THE FIGURE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 616, 19 March 1929, Page 5

ANKLES THAT SPOIL THE FIGURE

TREATING WEAK ANKLES—SLIMMING AND DEVELOPING A SHOE TIP (By a Woman Chemist. ) There is no better aid to a good appearance taan a pair of slim, wellset ankles. They give poise to the body, springiness to the step, and reduce fatigue to a minimum. Weak ankles are caused by the ligamentous bands that control the connection of the foot with the leg not being strong enough. To strengthen them and encourage a natural expansion of the cartilage between the joints, keep the legs still while sitting, and work the feet inwards and outwards, backwards and forwards, from the ankles. A dozen movements twice a day will be sufficient at first; gradually increase the movements to thirty, and continue with them until the ankles are sufficiently strong. Whether the ankles be too fat or too thin, massage is equally beneficial. To make the ankles slim bathe them well in hot water to which a handful of common salt has been added, dry on a very coarse towel, and rub thoroughly for five minutes with a photographer s squeegee. A small squeegee with rubber roller costs only very little and almost any dealer in photographic lequisites will supply it. If the ankles are too thin, generous friction with good cod liver oil, or a mixture of vaseline and almond oil. will soon improve them.

A Shoe Tip If you wish to preserve the shape of your ankles, never have the tops of shoes too tight. Over-tightness interferes with the action of the calf muscles and causes you to walk badly. Never wear shoes that pinch in the heels, and see that no shoes are so large that the feet slip about in them. Likewise, shoes with depressions in any part of the soles will throw the feet out of alignment by dropping some of the joints below the level. As , a result, the ankles “wobble.” Lastly, never wear shoes with soles I turning up very much toward the toes. They will cause the cords of the upper part of the feet to contract, destroy the ankles' balance, spoil the gait, and ! render c r walkin" very difficult.

Parisiennes love black and white even for sports wear. A favourite toilette is a knitted silk jumper in wide black and white horizontal strips over a pleated black crepe de chine skirt. A Cannes fashion, this; and what is worn at Cannes is invariably worn at all modish places.