Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 135, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1915 — Footwear That Is Smart [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Footwear That Is Smart

Not within the memory of the oldest observer of fashions has there been a time when women gave so much attention to their footwear, or the makers of shoes to their designers. The new shoes, high or low, for summer wear are nothing less than marvels of workmanship in which combinations of colored leathers or of cloth and leather are wrought into the daintiest and snappiest of crisp-looking clothing for the feet The plain shoe comes in for little consideration, for even the utility shoe of tan leather takes unto itself tips and bands in deeper, shades of tan or in gray, and revels in decorative stitchings. Also it laces up at unheard of positions, all, it must be confessed, to the advantage of the wearer as to the appearance of her feet A fine example of a low shoe of this kind is shown in the group pictured here. The other low shoe is designed for more dressy wear, showing a combination of black patent leather with a colored cloth. Beautiful stitching and graceful shaping in the emplacements of leather make this a gem to be considered. The Inside lace is really a great improvement over the

front lace, if not for greater convenience, for beauty. Except for ornamental stitching nothing is used in the way of decoration on the new shoes. No buckles or bows could be used where the body of the shoe furnishes all the variety in composition needed. A certain trimness, too, in the designs compels the absence of decoration, also. It is a case of realizing the force of that adage against painting the illy and adorning the rose. The high shoes pictured are combinations of patent leather and colored cloth. They are shown with the front and the side lace.' Similar shoes for midsummer made in a combination of black and white leather will vie with low shoes to be worn with white dresses and with combinations of black and white. The vogue of colored cloth and unusual colors in leather combined with black for shoes promises to remain with us for some time. Already those who make the cloths used in footwear are matching up the colors in dress goods which manufacturers are making ready for fall. JULfA BOTTOMLEY.