Category Archives: leather

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1960’S – 1970’S LEATHER SHOES – CUTE & BUSINESS-LIKE, TOO

TRUE VINTAGE 1960'S - 1970'S LEATHER SHOES - CUTE & BUSINESS-LIKE, TOO

These pumps are a perfect cross between cute and stylish shoes and sensible footwear for an office or on-your-feet job.  They’d go great with the slacks, skirts or dresses of that mid-century time.

By Air Step, one of the earlier makers of mid-priced shoes and purses that were sold all over the U.S. – almost like chain stores do now, but with a bit more personal feel.  There was a whole basket of them then, some with a little more prestige than others.

I just love finding items that are hardly worn – it tells me such a story about the former owner, who cared for her wardrobe and used it lightly.  Of course, there could be other explanations, but I’ve seen so many examples of this with older items that it seems like the most plausible explanation.  The attitude toward clothing before 1970 was very different than what it is today.

This pair reminds me of the Mod British influence in the late ’60’s, with the short tie vamp and no tongue – it’s just decorative – they slip on.  I also like the combination of smooth and suede leather and always love dark brown.

It’s a good work shoe, too.  Comfortable to stand and walk in. Just right to wear with that pleated skirt or secretary dress . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE GLOVES FROM THE 1950’S & ’60’S – AN ACCESSORY WORTH COLLECTING

ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE GLOVES FROM THE 1950'S & '60'S – AN ACCESSORY WORTH COLLECTING.

ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE GLOVES FROM THE 1950’S & ’60’S – AN ACCESSORY WORTH COLLECTING

ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE GLOVES FROM THE 1950'S & '60'S - AN ACCESSORY WORTH COLLECTING

Ho – hum, gloves . . . . .? Not these. There is nothing more stylish and luxurious than a beautiful pair of kid-skin gloves, while they also protect your hands.

Beautifully-made and elegant in lines, many that I have found have no decoration – many have small subtle designs near the wrist. Some, like the beige pair, have decorated panels of crochet or contrasting leather. The variations are endless. I’ll be showing more of them . . . . .

These gloves are not meant for really cold weather, but they’re great for what we’re into now. If looked after, they’ll last a long time.

Don’t wear these if you have a dirty job ahead, but for something more delicate and when you’d rather not leave fingerprints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

MOD BLACK AND WHITE SHOES FROM THE MID 1960’S – SPECTATOR STYLE

MOD BLACK AND WHITE SHOES FROM THE MID 1960'S – SPECTATOR STYLE.

A PAIR OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES THAT REMIND ME OF AUDREY

A PAIR OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES THAT REMIND ME OF AUDREY.

MORE SHOES! HOW DO YOU LIKE THESE LOVELIES FROM THE LATE ’50’S – EARLY ’60’S?

MORE SHOES! HOW DO YOU LIKE THESE LOVELIES FROM THE LATE '50'S – EARLY '60'S?.

MORE SHOES! HOW DO YOU LIKE THESE LOVELIES FROM THE LATE ’50’S – EARLY ’60’S?

MORE SHOES! HOW DO YOU LIKE THEE LOVELIES FROM THE LATE '50'S - EARLY '60'S?

I just HAD to have these when I found them! It’s interesting how they look so much like the fashion that became really popular in the early 1980’s “New Wave” era. The Fifties did some really fun, dramatic styling when they were coming out of their conservative period – think about fins on cars that were made then.

These pumps escape looking trashy by the fact that they are quality footwear, well-made of leather and not over-the-top in terms of the design. Their elegance makes them wearable with almost any type of outfit. In my opinion, that’s the way to make dramatic looks really effective, rather than just faddish or cheap and easy to forget (along with the person wearing them!)  Vintage-era designers knew this.

A follower asked me yesterday how I date clothing, etc. and it’s not an easy thing to answer in a few words. Mostly, I just “know”. There are lots of little bits and pieces of information and know-how, like with any type of experience.  The evidence is out there . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

ANOTHER TAKE ON THE OXFORD STYLE – THIS TIME FROM GERMANY

ANOTHER TAKE ON THE OXFORD STYLE – THIS TIME FROM GERMANY.

ANOTHER TAKE ON THE TRUE VINTAGE OXFORD STYLE SHOE – THIS TIME FROM GERMANY

ANOTHER TAKE ON THE OXFORD STYLE - THIS TIME FROM GERMANY

A very European “walking shoe” that is smart for the city and goes with lots of things. Practical and well-dressed women in the U.S. liked shoes of this sort a lot in the 1930’s, 1940’s and early 1950’s when they were busy at work, or shopping or . . . . . . . . . .  Worn with dresses, suits and slacks.

Not sure of the age of these definitely – somewhere between 1970 and 1995. They are, of course, full leather including  the soles and superbly constructed.  Nothing could be more elegant or classic for sporty day-wear.

Of course, I always love mid-century & war-time styles.  Just couldn’t pass these up when I found them, because you rarely encounter this type of quality and that’s always my standard, especially for footwear. I think that they would suit Miss Moneypenny very well, don’t you? . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

YES, I PROMISED MORE SHOES! HAND-MADE KID-LEATHER LOW-HEELED PUMPS

YES, I PROMISED MORE SHOES! HAND-MADE KID-LEATHER LOW-HEELED PUMPS.