Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-23
WEAR SMART SHOES
SHORT SKIRTS HAS FORGED iM- PROMINENT IN FOOT WEAR.
Despite the Example of Paris, the Vogue of the Short Skirt Con
 tines to Grow In This Country.

Tne shoe business naS unQergOn0 a wonderful revolution in the last few seasons" remarked the affable sales man in an exclusive New York shop one day. land we attribute 1t solely to the short skirts which women-Amer- ican women-are now wearing.
 You see, madam" continued this communicative person. with these short skirts, women must of neces- sity wear good shoes, and not only good but smart shoes. The old long skirt was menace not only to health and cleanliness but the shoe business as we'll Women bought one pair of street shoes in those days where they now buy three and four. Why shouldn't we advocate the short skirt?"
 And from the present indications it looks as though the yainest hopes of the shoeman were to be fully real ized.
 Paris continues to wear long skirts, as doubtless she ever will. The Paris ienne does not take to the short-skirt- ed costume, knowing that it does not become her as it does the American woman, who for once has failed to emulate these promoters of the worlds fashions.
 Is it because we like the comforts of this short skirt or, fashion bound as we are, the ultra smartness of the abbreviated skirt length in company with the most fascinating footwear we have ever seen? Methinks the lat ter reason is all too true, but, of course, we appreciate it's comforts. too.
 Tan footwear was worn all winter by smart dressers with severely tail ored suits of dark serges and natty English suitings. Young girls espe- cially affected this style of footwear and now that spring is here and sum- mer not far off the tan walking boot and pump are enjoying vogue which promises to overshadow that of some 15 years ago, when tan shoes were first introduced.
 Many of the walking boots are high -15 button, we call them, just as they say 20-button gloves. The cloth-top boot is a novelty. The suede top is likewise new and will doubtless take better than the cloth top because of it's wearing qualities. These novelty tops are a shade darker in tone than the vamp of the shoe and are matched with fine silk or cotton or lisle hos iery.
 The new pumps are distinctive in their trimming of the tiniest leather bows, which take the place of last years large fiat bow of ribbon or leather. Some models are finished with narrow braidlike beading edge, while others are simply stitched around the edge. Tips are seen, but the plain, round-pointed toe is the bet ter style.
 This model is seen in black and colors such as represented in the dress fabrics of the season.
 Natty, shiny and dull kid button boots are topped with cloth in black and white striped pattern, white grounds with black stripes. and black grounds with white stripes. These are made especially to meet the de- mand which has followed the populari- ty of striped tailored costumes. Large white buttons are seen on some of these boots. but these. being more or less conspicuous, are passed by in fav- or of those with black buttons.
 Aside from tan, colored shoes have lost caste with women of refined taste and Individuality in dress. their place being usurped by the patent kid boot with black dull kid top or top match ing in color the material of the dress. Such shoes are for dressy afternoon wear only.
 The new hosiery is not as modest as its shoe companions. Stripes and even checks are represented in 2 goodly number of designs and color. lngs calculated to rival the dress fab rics which they aim to consort with in the summers costuming.
 Bizarre ss some of these effects may be. they will not be conspicuous In the wearing. for they are intended to accompany the high walking boot, leaving the sheer. plain lisle to the company of the low pump or oxford.