Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08
Views AfOOt,

Happily. We are not at all likely to re.
vive the absurdities of the long pointed
toes of Richard III time, which were
secured by chains to the knee; but il is
not at all unlikely that some of the
modes Of ornamenting shoes and boots
in old times may be recalled, such as
the gliding and adjoining with Jewels
which Charlemagne affected and those
of the fourth century, which were as
varied in coloring as church window,
In Paris few folk have revived the
mode of wearing the shoe and stocking
colors.
The embroidery on shoes was never
more elaborate than in the present day.
Among the newest examples are butter
flies, just covering the toes OF black
satin shoes, worked in opal, rel, blue,
gold and other tiny beads. For bridal
shoes white satin is embroidered in
crystal or in bullion silver, the same
designs being equally we'll wrought in
gold. Some of the shoes at the French
exhibition were entirely covered with
gold embroidery. Shoes now are ex-
pected to match the dress, not only in
color but in pattern. The so-called
pompadour and vatican shoes are in
tended to be worn with the revived
fashions of those periods. From the
reign of James III. and William III. we
derive the shoes coming we'll up on the
instep, where they are secured by
buckle; and it was in the early part of
the present century, and quite the end
of the last-not in Queen Anne's time
that the low.cut shoe with the SIM
pie tie bow was fashionable, which
now bears that sovereign's name.
When it was worn before it was known
as the duchess shoe," the Duchess
of York having a remarkably pretty
foot. Few styles make the TO It look so
small, but it is apt sometimes to slip
Off, especially in dancing; so, to COM
bine the becomingness Of the low-cut
shoe and the comfort of one well sup
ported on the instep, the Parma shoe
has been introduced. The toe is cut
unusually low or the foot; but there
are two straps above, with a bow on
each, SO that an openwork or embroid-
cred stocking shows perfectly we'll. 1t
is quite Il distinct shape and cut from
the Oriental shoe with four straps,
which has been the fashion so long.
The Parma shoe can he had with the
! high Louis XIV. heels, an absurlity
revived from the end of the eighteenth
century, when the height increased to
such preposterous extent that in the
next evolution of the wheel of fashion
they were abolished altogether, and
| flat heelless shoes prevailed. We now
add fiat heels to the same style, and
those that are well made are very be-
| 90 l,n
much out of doors, and for this use has
been devised new kind, coming we'll
up on the instep, with three buttons
and scalloped button.holes. For races
and feteS laced shoes in French kid,
embroidered on the toes, are the mode.
They are cut becomingly low, with
pointed toes and thick soles, made to
appear thin by reason of the bevelled
edge. The laced Oxford shoe continues
to be worn, sometimes trimmed with a
bow.
There is little that is new in archery
and lawn.tennis shoes. Some of the
clubs adopting special colors for the
dress have the shoes made in the same
mixture; but the ordinary kind have
morocco or common leather tops, are
laced or tied with ribbon, and are made
with the corrugated Indiarubber soles.
Boots laced at the side were worn in
the time of Henry W., and within the
last fifty years have been pretty gen.
orally adopted. They have, however,
now mostly disappeared, and buttoned
boots, or boots laced up the front, for
country wear, have replaced them.
Cloth and fancy material boots are
more fashionable than all kid for full
dress; and most durable stuff, which
used to be called English lasting, but
has been renamed serge de Barri, is
quite the newest. 1t is strengthened
by band of leather up the back seam
and on the piece forming the button
holes. Patent leather is another revi-
val after six years disuse; it is always
dressy looking, but draws the foot.
Toe tips only appear on clump and
country boots. The toe pieces come
we'll up on the instep, dwindling to a
point at the side of the foot, where the
heel piece meets it in the same form.
French kid buttoned boots are made in
a similar fashion.
The most serviceable boots for rough
wear are the Levant and calf leather
with clump soles. The newest for
ladies are cut on the same principle as
gentleman's shooting boot; the front
of the boot and the tongue in front are
cut in one, and the laced pieces open
out wide, so that there is no pressure
on the instep, and they are slipped on
and Off easily.
For ordinary daily walking Levant
leather and French kid buttoned boots
are fashionable, made higher in the
ankle than they have been. An i'm.
provement has been devised in hygienic
boots, which have proved so great
comfort to walkers, giving ample play
to the foot; the heel is slightly raised,
the sole impervious to damp, and the
shape adapted to the natural form Of
the foot. Theyare now made in French
kid for summer wear, with the same
soft, smooth Innings. The high boots
called Wellington, reaching far up the
leg, are really relics Of the time of Ed
ward w., some of them opening in the
centre of the front the entire length,