Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-08-02
FEMININE FOOTWEAR.
flight Shoes as Popular as Ever-A Rs
 form Needed Badly.


 form Needed Badly.
 "Why do women wear tight shoesa" was asked leading State street boot-maker for the fair sex by a Chicago Tribune reporter.
 Because they are foolish," he replied 'sThat is the only answer can make, but if were to try to convince my customers of the fact would lose their trade. The ladies are particular about their pet vanity and they pay Q great deal of attention to hobby and snug fitting shape"
 "What are the effects of wearing tight shoes?" was asked of another maker.
 s'The effects arc corns and diseased and crippled feet and continual misery. Women buy tight shoes because they are vain. Nine out of ten of the ladies who come in here tell the clerks they want shoes that are at least one size too small for them. By dint of stretching and the use of powdered soap stone many are enabled to get on and wear away shoes that are half a size or size too small for them; but utoccasioaaliy ono is con- pel,ed to take the proper size for her feet, but it is at sacrifice of her vanity, and the physical comfort enjoyed does not seem to compensate her for her apparent mental discomfort. A great many ladies insist on having shoes from special lasts that in no visa match the shape ni ihalr fses, and, as a rule they are the kind who want high heels, although the stilt-like underpinninR has largely gone out of fashion. The evils of high heels are, of course. well known" Most of our lady customers buy shoes that are too small for them, " said another l dealer. ''The habit of wearing tight shoes l IS as bad as the Chinese practice of band aging and deforming the feet of their fe. male infants. The red Indians of America and the natives of Africa can give civiliza- tion instruction in respect to proper care of the feet. The natives never toe out, but put their feet forward in perfectly straight lina when walking. Livingstone l III his writings on Africa, rel6tes how the natives laughed at the shape of the white mans feet, which they attributed to the | boots they wore. The Crow Indians make their moccasins to toe in instead of out they walk pertectly straight and have inc | ly formed feet. There are ladies of my ac' | ouaintance who are almost confirmed in valids, and their ailments were brought
 about by wearing tight, high-heeled shoes, which threw their body forward end
 caused them to toe outward tn walking Many of my lady customers arc such suffer. CTS from corns that they do not like to SC out of the house and are in misery all of the time when walking, yet they will not foregt
 their vanity end wear 8 sensible, easy fitting broad -sOled, low -heeicd shoe. Sonic
 of them do not venture to walk at all, anG only go out in their carriages or upon shor'
 expeditions where the street-cars can bt
 utilized for almost the entire distance they
 desire to travel. notice that a great dea
 is said about dress reform for women, ant
 hope all contemplated reforms include the
 important matter of footwear. Of course it makes no difference to us, the prices
 would remain the same wero the fashion tt
 change, but we have to supply the demand or go out of business, and it Is undeniabl'
 that as far as the ladies are concerned thu
 greatest demand is for tight shoes"