FAMILY GUIDE TO AUTUMN FOOTWEAR .sx Exciting Colours .sx New Toe Styles .sx A PARTIAL retreat from the sharply-pointed Italian toe is indicated in the autumn footwear presentations .sx Taking a look recently at the collection from CWS factories I noted a number of interesting models with the newer square toe .sx Another new style feature is the wine-glass or flared heel , which was shown teamed up with pointed , squared , and chisel toes .sx Colour is highly important in choosing autumn footwear .sx The autumn range of shades is almost bewildering , and there are some exciting new-comers , such as conker calf and charcoal , rocco and Russian violet .sx Quite a lot of attention has been paid by the designers to comfort as well as style in this collection exclusively created for Britain's Co-operative stores .sx I noted the " bagged " toplines and tailored ankle fittings , exemplified in a black calf shoe from Norwich which is also available in tan calf and mushroom .sx The comfort element is particularly marked in the Elizabeth shoe family , expressly designed for those of us whose feet are no longer youthful , but who nevertheless like to be fashionably shod .sx None of us could ask for a smarter number , for instance , than a black softie calf shoe with a cushioned heel sock , arch support , and elasticised forepart .sx It is offered also in charcoal .sx For younger feet the famous Countrysider range brings in the casual .sx Gristle soles and chisel toes are features here , as in an attractive model in dark green and maize .sx These new Countrysiders , with their up-to-the-minute fashion features- including the kidney-shaped toepiece- are likely to retain their popularity with our teenagers .sx Fashion these days is as apparent in male footwear as in women's , and this collection offered both square and chisel toe in its stylings- and here again colour is an essential fashion feature .sx Interesting to see our men breaking away from those traditional browns and blacks into more interesting shades- as in one of the new Ardingtons shown in the rich dark brown which is going to be one of the autumn's most popular footwear shades for men .sx As in the autumn clothes collections I have seen , the young folk's styles tend to be junior editions of their elders' .sx For the girls , toe styles run to both the medium pointed and the chisel , and the maids' casuals incorporate the kitten heel , bagged tops , and chisel toes .sx Similarly , the boys' shoes reveal the new toe shape in varying degrees , and one of the Leeds numbers shown me had a vamp decorated in Terylene braid .sx More modish still was a pointed-toe model with a highly masculine-looking buckle , and resin soled ; and a rubber-soled casual in the latest styling , unlined , with elastic side insertions and smooth saddle running across the forepart .sx - D.L.R. BED-TIME LUXURY .sx EIDERDOWNS are slippery objects , as restless nights are only too apt to prove .sx To keep you from being left in the cold by these unaccommodating articles the CWS Pelaw Quilt Factory have introduced a new item into their range .sx In the past they have featured a large number of quilts with matching bedspreads .sx Now they are offering you the two in one , in the form of a quilt with matching valance attached .sx This is gusseted to ensure a snug fit over the pillows and the whole has the appearance of an eiderdown covering a bedspread .sx For sheer luxurious warmth in the middle of winter nothing could compare with another newcomer to the range , a continental style quilt .sx Filled with pure down , it is made in down-proof super cambric stitched into four panels .sx There is no danger of this slipping off the bed for it folds cosily around you as you turn .sx The price of about 14 guineas may appear high , but this quilt is designed to last a lifetime .sx You can choose from a colour range of rose , gold , green , blue , and beige , all piped with white .sx During the past two years washable quilts in man-made fibres have come to the fore .sx The Pelaw range includes printed nylons , Terylenes and Tricels , all with Tricel or Terylene fillings .sx These with their flower-scattered designs would add glamour to any bedroom .sx A dainty rose pattern is used for a printed Tricel quilt with frilled edge and plain Tricel back .sx This delightful model can be bought in rose , gold , blue , and lilac , and costs about +5 7s .sx 6d .sx ANOTHER pretty quilt with printed Terylene front and plain nylon frill and back sells for about +6 12s .sx The colours available are rose , blue , gold , and cerise .sx The traditionally styled quilts are still highly popular , and are harder wearing than those made from man-made fibres .sx An attractive model in embroidered crepe with ruched centre and scalloped edge is made in dark rose , light rose , gold , green , blue , oyster , wine , and lavender .sx It has a feather filling and down-proof back and the price is about +7 10s .sx 6d .sx A reversible quilt in rose , beige , green , blue , wine , or black , is extremely reasonably priced at +3 16s .sx 6d .sx This feather-filled model is in down-proof cambric .sx All prices given are for double-bed size .sx Grandmothers-to-be should make a note to look at the pretty range of pram sets in nylon with Terylene fillings .sx These have delicate designs on the covers and plain matching pillow-cases .sx The prices range from about +1 14s .sx 6d .sx to +2 , and the colours are pink , sky , ivory , and lemon .sx SHIRTS are his business .sx says ROBERT PEMBERTON .sx ARE you still wearing a shirt with separate collars and a closed front , Mr. Grundy ?sx If you are you can count yourself as rather a " square , " as young Ron would put it in his jargon .sx In other words you are a little old-fashioned , because 90 out of every 100 males are wearing the collar-attached tunic shirt .sx The non-iron and drip-dry are also highly favoured nowadays .sx Where ironing is necessary the busy housewife finds it much easier to make a good job of pressing the open-front type of shirt .sx I was told this during an interesting chat I had with Mr. R. Hunt , who manages the CWS Shirt , Pyjama , and Overall Group of five factories at Broughton , Pelaw , Cardiff , Sheffield , and Reading .sx " Men are not as colour-conscious as women , " Mr. Hunt told me , " and they are inclined to be more conservative as they grow older .sx There is always a big demand for white , checks are called for quite a lot , especially by the younger men , and there is an indication of a return to stripes .sx Pastel shades have lost some of their popularity .sx " UNTIL I toured the Broughton factory I never realised how much research and planning goes into the making of a top-class shirt such as those made at the CWS's Broughton , Pelaw , and Cardiff factories .sx So many synthetic materials , such as nylons , Terylene , Acrilan , and rayon , are used in the manufacture of shirts that extra care has to be taken to ensure that the inter-linings and the sewing cotton shrink in the same ratio as the main fabric .sx " In my long experience in the trade there have never been as many technical and scientific problems as there are today , " said Mr. Hunt .sx " In the production of drip-dry shirts the collar inter-linings are treated with a water repellant , and new types of inter-linings have had to be introduced for the shirts manufactured from man-made fibres .sx " Everything is done methodically and thoroughly to get the best results .sx For instance , as many as 500 prototypes of the collar of the well-known Lestar shirt were produced , washed , and tested for wear until the near-perfect collar was discovered .sx And there is no resting on their laurels .sx While the Lestar shirt has been an outstanding success for some time , modifications are made when necessary to improve it and keep it right on top .sx No other manufacturer makes such a wide variety of shirts as the CWS .sx Society shirts are made to please all types of wearer , from the artisan to the executive , and for all occasions .sx It doesn't matter either whether you are a giant or a dwarf , your Co-operative society can fit you out with a CWS shirt .sx The Broughton was recently called upon for a shirt with a 22 1/2 in .sx collar and a 66 in .sx chest measurement .sx ALL the latest machines and gadgets for doing the job speedily and efficiently can be found at the factories , and it is obvious , after seeing them at work in the bright and modern Broughton factory , that there are no more skilful operatives than the girls and men who make the popular Society shirts under their various brand names .sx In making two million garments a year 4,000 miles of cloth are used- 70 per cent of it from CWS mills .sx The factories require 146,000 miles of sewing cotton , 13 million buttons , 12 million pins , 1 1/2 million transparent bags , and 500,000 boxes .sx Not too old at 40 .sx OLD people are younger today !sx You have only to look around to realise that they have moved with the times just as much as the younger generation .sx Most middle-aged folk can well remember the days when their mothers and grandmothers dressed in sober hues , usually black .sx Life stopped at 50 and old age began .sx Old ladies walked with sticks and often wore veils .sx If they wore anything colourful it was confined to a touch of white round the collar .sx What a change since then !sx Grannies dress as brightly as their daughters these days , and a jolly good thing , too .sx Mothers look just as charming as their offspring and often nearly as young .sx Statistics , too , show that people are living longer .sx A brighter outlook on life plus , of course , many far-reaching advances in medicine , is partly responsible .sx But as older people keep younger so does the need for finding suitable occupations for them increase .sx There is nothing more frustrating than to feel unwanted .sx In this modern world with its full employment and , indeed , its clamour for more and more people to fill a wide variety of jobs , the older person has much to offer the community .sx Although the advertisement columns of the papers sometimes admit this with their invitation " age immaterial " there is still in some quarters a reluctance to recognise that " too old at forty " is a very out-dated tag for these times .sx While people are fit and well the world has much use for them .sx That is why this month's HOME MAGAZINE includes an important article on the work of the Over Forty-Fives Association which , in the words of one of its officials , regards a man of 45 as " a mere chicken " and has found work for people as old as 80 .sx It is an unfortunate aspect of the otherwise excellent pension arrangements which many firms offer today that they frequently do not allow for employment of older people .sx With everyone now enjoying a State pension when they reach the necessary age , it should not be impossible to find a solution to the problem of individual schemes .sx Not only have older people much to offer , they find many benefits themselves in continuing to work , providing their health is good enough .sx The contact with younger people , the feeling that they are playing a part in the world around them , the interest their work can hold for them- all are valuable aids to a complete and happy life .sx Those who are in a position to engage staff might well think of these factors when they next fill a position .sx Meanwhile HOME MAGAZINE offers you this month its usual rich variety , including Mary Langham's recipes to keep you well ahead in your Christmas preparations .sx The Editor HOUSEWIVES' CLUB .sx SHOP SLEUTH brings you bargains for your Christmas shopping list .sx All items are available through your local Co-operative Society .sx For further details write to Housewives' Club , HOME MAGAZINE , 1 Balloon St. , Manchester 4 , enclosing a stamped addressed envelope .sx READY-PACKED in a Christmas stocking is a tool kit containing a 6 oz .sx hammer , a plastic handled screwdriver , trimming knife and three blades , bradawl , card of fuse wire , and one packet each of assorted screws and panel pins .sx [END]