The Osceola times., 1882-02-25
Feet and Foot Wear.

\ Linn Mass letter says: As by
common consent the ladies are Cousid-
cred the best judges of taste, it is but
natural lhat We select for comparison
Ia dies fo t-wear. In New England the
shape of the foot is rather Hat, broad,
and medium instep. The style of boot
worn is of neat, modest appearance.
with broad II It heel. The vamp is cut
plain the top of the boot is plain curve,
and black boot is invariably stitched
with black. Congress and lace boots
have limited sale. but button is a
iavorlte. Leather shoes are most de.
mandcd, being Judged more scrviceable
and better adapted for all kinds OF
weather. The principle features sought
in New England are comfort, service and
general neatness s-charaC'eristics unCon-
sciously adopted from the surroundings
of everyday life. The shape Of New
York feet differs little from New Eng
land. They require a boot trille mar
rover llatter across the toes and higher
at the instep. Your New York CON
sumers demand style and dt. They want
the vamp cut lower and longer; a heel
higher but well-propOrtiOnedI aud ask
general attention to pretty outline. They,
too, choose button boot, prefcrring for
material leather of the lighter grades
New York manufacturers manufacture
laryely for the home trade, and a large
proportion Of their products are sold in
New York State.
pkiladelphians are very slow to max @
a change or adopt new styles by calling
for scallops on the vamps and occasions
ally stitching with white on black ma.
terial. They also want bright, dry
finished stock, in distinction from a
finish that is dull and pliable. There is
also demand for cloth shoes, or cloth
top with leather vamp and heel piece,
known as "fuxed" shoes. The oxtremi-
ties of style are seldom worn in Phila-
delphia, and the demand is free from
any very marked peculiarities. Balti-
more people are hard to suit, but, once
suited, hold to Il given style for a long
time. They want shoe handsome in
outline and finish, a scalloped vamp and
often scallops at the top of the boot.
The foot is longer or narrower in the
hollow of the foot, and needs TO be fit, d
tight TO the last. From Baltimore, too.
comes demand for large sizes, often as
high as number mines, which is large for
a lady's shoe. These, Of course, are for
use on Southern plantations, aud in this
market shoes are worn from the narrow
est to the widest.
The dstinctivcly Solthern foot is mar
row in the hollow of the foot and
widens at the ball. The shoes worn are
the fanciest Of all in style, finish and
pattern. Tops are scallopedt vamps .rc
scalloped Materials are used Of the
brightest finishes. Facings are Of lively
colors. White stitching is often seen on
black material, Often, too, flower,
leaf, or some less precise ornamentation,
traced with white or colorcd stitching,
relieves the plainness of the material.
Until recently lace boots have been pre-
ferred to buttons, and neat bow is often
worn at the bottom of the lace. The
Western people want a good, full shoe
and lots Of room in it, except IN Cincin-
natl and 81. Louis, where the tendency
is more Southern. \ rough climate
needs staunch shoes and more leather is
really q greater necessity than to any
other class of wearers.