"Bringing back shoes from an era ago is important to us," says Diane Straub, senior designer for Original Dr. Scholl's for Brown Shoe Co.

The time seemed right for the saddle shoe, she adds, because they fit right in with the current fashion of pleated skirts, shrunken cardigan sweaters and scarves.

Yet, Straub expects the saddle shoe to remain on the line for years to come. "We see it as a staple, mostly because it's comfortable like a sneaker," she says.

There are some modern touches on the new version of the shoe, including offering it in combinations of white and black, pink, light blue and khaki, and adding a more flexible outsole, made of a non-slip polyurethane unit bottom.

Other retro shoes that will be getting a Dr. Scholl's makeover include the ankle-tied desert boot in suede and nubuck shoes with red outsoles.