Antique Footwear

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Antique footwear - Early 1800's

For collectors of antique footwear, the most valuable shoes are elaborately beaded shoes and boots of the early 19th century (1800's). In the early 1800's the shoe looked very much like our ballet slipper. They were made of silk and lined with either cotten twill or linen. Some were decorated with silk rosettes, a bow or even a metal buckle. The shoes were very lightweight and collapsible and today are practically impossible to find and if one is lucky enough to find a pair they will be very expensive and much too fragile to wear - a collector would place them in a museum type container for display only.

In the late 19th and early 20th century the "dainty boot" made its appearance and has a tan leather straight sole, a square toe, and the body of the shoe is made of suede, leather, or silk. Some styles have side laces and a leather heel and or toe cap and are made of iridescent kid in shades of gold and burgundy. Collectors of antique shoes strive also to find the 2-tone, suede and leather shoes in pastel colors.

In 1850 shoes become "crooked", meaning they are designed so that there is a difference between the right and left foot.

In the 1860's the "Louis" heel (curved outline, flared at base) appear on shoes and are still commonly seen on shoes and boot to this day.

In 1870 the high-button shoe or boot is in fashion. The most common high-button shoes that we associate with have the flap of leather that folds over the front and is fastened by buttons on the side.

A button-hook (metal hook used to pull button through button hole) is an essential tool for everyone owning a pair of high button shoes.

Another style not commonly seen by most of us is the high button shoe that has 10 straps going across the front and spaced apart so that you can see the stockings showing through and fasten on the side with glass buttons.