Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1875 — Ladles’ Shoes. [ARTICLE]

Ladles’ Shoes.

Thk shoes worn by ladies at present are far more sensible than those lately in fashion. The design now is to give symmetrical shape aud ease to the foot rather than to cramp it into unnatural smallness. For this purpose the best shoemakers now use French lasts made precisely to the shape of tire foot, outlining the taper of the foot on top, and giving ample width of sole. Shoes made in this way do not cramp the toes, or bind the Instep, or force out the tender joints to. form bunions, as the narrow shoes of the past few years have done. Another sensible feature of the present style is the low, broad heel, which gives the foot, a natural, easy and healthful position, verydifferent from that suffered when the high, narrow French heels were in vogue. Experienced shoemakers also commend what is called the English Channel groove in the sole of the shoe that carries the stitch connecting the sole and upper, and prevents the edge from becoming rough and ragged. Buttoned boots of French kid are the handsomest shoes for semi-dress, house and carriage wear. For the same purposes there are also buttoned boots of fine serge foxed with French and Curacoa kid. Heavy walking shoes with double soles are made of pebble-goat, of Curacoa kid, of straight-grain, and also the French matkid. Side-laced gaiters are said to be coming into favor again, as they give a perfect fit and are easily adjusted to the foot when it swells with fatigue or overexertion; both serge and morocco are used for these gaiters.— Harper's Bazar.