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
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Just to keep the fare varied, here’s another pair of shoes – but men’s from France. I am not sure how old these are. They are a size 7B, which is a smallish and narrow men’s size. That works for my 8narrowB feet.
The uppers are leather with laces, black or dark navy. They look like an oxford, but have the full wooden sole, made like the wonderful Scandinavian clogs. Undoubtedly, they are hand-made.
I’m not sure if these are true vintage or not – they appear to be, but European shoes and garments have different labeling and so many are hand-done that it is hard to be sure. They are a very traditional French design.
Regardless, I love them. Such quality and style. They were a surprise find and I think they are delightful! Love clogs, anyway – it’s a very early ’70’s thing in the U.S. I wonder if I’ll see more of them when I go to Paris next June . . . . . . . . .. . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
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There’s a ’30’s – ’40’s flair to these with the high vamp and bow detail, but I don’t know when they were made, for sure. It was a small maker – likely European.
They are so soft – like kid gloves. It’s so true that you can judge someone’s taste and elegance by looking at their shoes, gloves and handbag. And I don’t mean designer labels or logos – I refer to high quality and workmanship . . . . . . . . . . that’s the real clue.
They’d look nice with a lot of things, and unusual – attention-getting. This week I’ll show a 3-piece outfit that they’d look fabulous with, plus some other pieces in the same color family – all true vintage, of course . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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About this time of year, the fashion magazines begin showing the “new” Fall styles and, inevitably, I see clothing and accessories that echo many of the wonderful true vintage items in my closets. These oxfords are officially “vintage” from the Eighties, even though they’re styled after shoes from forty years before that!
Just goes to show that everything that goes around comes around and that is so true with fashion. Of course, some decades do it better than others and having some superbly made originals can be the ultimate best. I’m happy with these, because they’re still made of good leather with Vibram soles, and should continue to last as long as the 1940’s originals would do.
My original 1940’s ones are still my favorite, but they’ll come later. I’ve got a ton of shoes to photograph and you’ll be seeing lots over the next few weeks. These are from the ’80’s and look great with suits, pants, dresses and skirts from the 1940’s, as well as many other outfits. There’s nothing more classic than a good oxford shoe. And, if they;re made well and fit well, nothing more comfortable except bare feet.
Especially if you have a lot of walking ahead, from hideout to hideout . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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