The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-16
PATENT LEATHER TAN SHOES.
They Arc n Novelty. ana Dealers Arc Wonder
ing II They Will Take with the Public.

ing II They Will Take with the Public.
The latest development in the light-colored
shoe is OF a character to puzzle the public as
well as the shopkeepcrs. One dealer told a SUN
reporter the other day that he had no idea just
what the new style meant.
lit is something that seems all wrong to me-"
he said, and we are waiting to see what the
people are going to think Of it. The new shoe
combines the features OF an undress and n patent
leather shoe as well. II Is made of the usual
tan-colored leather, but is finished with a patent
leather glaze that makes it shine like the newest
sort of black patent leather pumps. When
I saw 1t first it seemed to mo that
some man had been trying to solve the
problem Of the combination OF tan shoes
and the silk hat by inventing something that
would seem d little more appropriate to the men
who like this fashion. There Is the tan-colored
leather, with its suggestion Of summer neglige,
and the light background as a protection from
the dust. Then there is the shiny glaze to AFFORD
some sort of excuse for the connection with tho
silk hat. But I don't believe that SO much
analysis prompted the inventor of that novelty.
That it was devised for the mere purpose OF
getting out something new or maybe to furnish
n permanent shine that generally costs 10 cents
whenever 1t is put on tho unglazed shoe
seems the most probable explanation.
THE care Of light shoes is likely to be more
expensive in the end than the ordinary black
ones. for they promptly show neglect, and every
where it costs double the price of an ordinary
backing to have them cleaned. But they have
come TO stay, There 10 no doubt about that. and
their survival seems more remarkable after tho
struggle it took to make them popular. | re-
member how conspicuous the few men were
wearing these light-colored shoes. They have
now generally driven out Of use entirely one
sort OF shoe. That Is tho black calf low quarter
shoe. CDmDarltiy cly few OF them are made
now, and Idon't believe that an ybody regrets
ihg l. disS MIES no eSS Of T trsyuS Ter to H the Syoot ibGSa;
who had to look after them.
This. year finds no change, in the general
hogan 10 be fashionable. about, three years ago
were made then by only the high,pricsd shoe,
now. and even the lasts. which were supposed to
be the fscl hnd eoI properly t5Pssny Of these 20 m = SGrm iS are
pensivc men. Iantfcipatea return to tho thinner
sole. for he heavy.soled business has already
men have already shown n disposition to 10
back to this older fashion. and. as they generally
doubtless DO found less frequently provided with
these very heavy soles; In reality they do not
S %eae a ns snSH 'a Il the %sG sole eo"aE oes; not no I'VE Wear %pS oat.
They will he tho fashion this summer, and the
high, double,soled boots wifi always remain in
ofsns%a w ror sno BUN ot tS city Wear q Il Z not likely
that they win remain long in demand,
inns Spring. Stco u IcN vi tHc. NoihuihOu a
and patent leather dress shoes, which in spite Of
nothing more than a shop-window curiosity.
These shoes with the tan tops. pearl buttons.
and .pntcnt leather uppers are regarded as
highly fashionable by certain exquisite dresscrs
in London and Paris, but New. York won't have
them. Neither will II take the tan ~buttoned
shoes, which succumbcd after a year of trial.
They are worn to some extent in London, but
they arc not the best style, and New
Workers. promptly assigned them TO that
catalogue of intOlerable cyentualities that
includes the patent leather shoe with
white canvas tops and white buttons, tho
tan leather shoes with some sort OF tops and
the combined patent leather and tan shoe do
scribod above; We rejected all Of these. Russia
co'orod shoes. But Of course it is used in only
the most expensive. The disappearance Of tho
blucher shoe in any form Is one OF the noticeable
incidents In the changing fashions In shoes. For
about five years the blucher In patent leather
was regarded as the smartest thing a man could
wear: 1t was Of course Just as inappropriate as
possible. since such a shape was not in the least
adapted TO patent leather. which Is primarily de-
signed for n dress leather. But IL prospercd for n
while. Something OF the same kind Is seen now
In The case of the patent feathers made with the
heavy soles that are regarded as remarkably
stylish for q walking shoe. Some of these have
double soles three-Quarters Of an inch thick.
They are certainly striking, but, like the blucher,
are not good style, because the leather is not In
tended to be made up in such a way. SO their
popularity Is certain to wane just as. that of
every fashion does when It is not founded on a
tasteful and proper combination Of material and
purpose"