Category Archives: stiletto

A BOX OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES IN THE BASEMENT

A BOX OF TRUE VINTAGE SHOES IN THE BASEMENT

Another of those boxes in the basement which I hadn’t thought about in a while – finds of the last 10 years stored away. It’s always fun to see what’s inside!  Lots of variety from several different decades.

From the top row down, we’ll start with the DUDS, from the viewpoint of a true vintage hunter:

Pairs #1, #2 & #3 – nice to very nice classic styles in leather, 1980s at the earliest to 1990s.  Pretty shoes. Ho hum.  More retro than vintage, but reminiscent of the 1940’s and 1950’s.

Pair #4 – True vintage late 1950s – early 1960s gold-tone all – leather stiletto pumps.  For cocktails and dancing the cha-cha.

Pairs 5 & 6 – True vintage bowling shoes, 1950s – 1970s.  The two-tone ones are suede.

Pair #7 – Original true vintage Dr. Scholl’s leather exercise sandals from the very early 1970s.  They’ve made them in later years, but they aren’t the same.

Pair #8 – Low-heel leather pumps by Johannson from the mid-’60s.

Pair #9 – Leather pumps from the ’70s.  Nothing to lose your wallet over.

Pair #10 – Leather flats from the mid – late 1960s, with price tags still inside.

Well, that was interesting.  I remember finding all of these.  Probably I will sell them, since I run into the issue that all vintage collectors usually do – storage space!  Sometimes you have to (sigh), but as I get better and better at my craft, the non-keepers become fewer and fewer

Don’t forget that one of these pairs might be just what is needed to finish off a Halloween costume soon . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE ANDREW GELLER STILETTO HEELS FROM THE 1960’S

TRUE VINTAGE ANDREW GELLER STILETTO HEELS FROM THE 1960'S

In the original bags from Saks Fifth Avenue – what a find! These fabric – upper heels are so beautiful and well-made.

In a swirly, abstract print of browns and greens, they could work with your dark green dress.  Leather soles, of course.

What more can I say? . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PERFECT TRUE VINTAGE EARLY ’60S STILLETTOS FOR THE VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY

PERFECT TRUE VINTAGE EARLY '60S STILLETTOS FOR THE vALENTINE'S PARTY

Since we’re doing accessories this Valentine’s Day, there are such a sweet collection of things to wear to a holiday party in my closet! These pink patent stilettos are some of my favorites.

From the Mad Men – Kennedy era, these pumps are beautiful 100% leather from top to bottom. No wonder they’ve lasted 50 years, and can go a lot longer. It’s hard (impossible?) to find modern shoes of this quality, so I always prefer my true vintage ones. They’re usually more comfortable, too.

I’ve got lots of lovely vintage shoes because I’m always finding them. You just never know . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

A PAIR OF TRUE VINTAGE JOHANSEN LOVELIES FROM THE 1940’S – 1950’S

ANOTHER PAIR OF JOHANSEN LOVELIES FROM THE 1940'S - 1950'S

Just as classic as the Little Black Dress, little black pumps are obviously just as iconic. Perfect style and durability for about 70 years.  This is a dressier pair, of suede leather, which probably saved them the more frequent wear of an everyday shoe and preserved them for me.

I’m so glad!  This heel height couldn’t be more comfortable – elegant and flattering, too.
Great for dancing.

And, sometimes, for making a quick get-away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

NEWLY DISCOVERED ACCESSORIES AND SHOES – HERE WE GO . . . . . . .

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True vintage late 1960’s 100% leather hand-made stiletto heels.  What shoes should be!!! Black patent leather with fabric bow decoration.

These were originally sold at a well-known mid-western department store.  They were made to last, and they have.  Small metal taps at the toes to prevent wear.  The soles have not been repaired, but they can be forever as needed.  That’s the beauty of these beautiful vintage items.

More on the way – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

 

TRUE VINTAGE HIGH-HEEL STILETTO PUMPS FROM THE UK: A CLASSIC WARDROBE STAPLE 1940’S – 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE HIGH-HEEL STILETTO PUMPS FROM THE UK: A CLASSIC WARDROBE STAPLE

According to moi, one can never own too many pairs of beautiful pumps.  They can be worn with almost anything, are easy to walk and dance in and are tremendously flattering to most women.  Some lucky girls look just as good in anything, wearing flats, but most legs and overall stature are improved by the height and lift provided by a heel.

This pair are sturdy, standard issue, with no particular brand name (I’m not altogether familiar with branding in the UK).  The important thing is the cut and the materials, which are both exceptional.  Though it’s hard to see in the photo, there is a black leather detail on the outside vamp.  Love it!

I’ll have these for decades. The mid-high heel is very versatile and the neutral brown is good any time of year.  Looks great with white and beige in the summer.  I found them in Canada, where British goods are more common, but I find items made all over the world in places far from their origin. That is half the fun and excitement of the hunt. As always, you just never know . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960s METALLIC SAPPHIRE BLUE STILETTO PUMPS

TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960s METALLIC SAPPHIRE BLUE STILETTO PUMPS

A relatively rare find, early ’60s pumps a lot like the ones my grandmother wore in 1963. I was surprised to see the metallic finish, but these are definitely true vintage. I’m not sure if they are patent leather or not – the soles are man-made but the insoles are part leather. Just enough of the markings are left, as well as the appearance overall, to show that they are at least 50 years old, though in excellent condition!

They are almost a perfect color match for the dress which I just posted, and would look very good with it. They were another surprise find, which completely delighted me.

As always, you just never know . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER AUSSIE FIND – TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S WORKING-GIRL PUMPS

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA    A kind-of unusual-looking style, don’t you think?  These need a polish and a little cleaning, but they’re in excellent condition. Leather pumps by “Diana” – rather high cut on the vamp.  They remind me of what I see teachers wearing in old photos.

Investigating across the world is challenging, exciting and always intriguing.  One thing that was fun in Australia is that several of the things I found are familiar, but still a bit different from what I discover in the U.S. and Canada.  Their own brands and, maybe, some other foreign influences have given the styles a unique twist.

As always, you just never know . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS! RARE PURE WHITE ’60’S STILETTO HEELS IN MY SIZE!!!

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OMG – pure white true vintage shoes are so rare, and especially in such good condition.  Miss Wonderful (and they are) made these lovely full leather pumps back in the Kennedy era, early 1960’s.  I’m in heaven because I’ve looked for some for ages.

Nothing takes the place of perfectly white “dress” shoes with pretty vintage summer frocks.  Vintage white sandals are not hard to find, but pumps are another matter.  Leather soles, with metal toe taps and almost-new heel caps just seal the deal.  I’ll enjoy these for decades.

Although I’ve been too busy to be looking much . . . . . well, you just never know . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S STILETTO PUMPS

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 1950'S - EARLY 1960'S STILETTO PUMPS

Here’s a pair of shoes that I might wear with the dresses I’ve shown recently.  These needle-toe patent leather pumps are characteristic of late ’50’s to early ’60’s styles. The placement and shape of the heel is also characteristic.

I love the little cut-outs on the vamp.  Many shoes of that era had great details.

One of the things I like best are the company names stamped on the insoles.  The script is usually so interesting.  Although these are cracked inside, the outers are in great shape.

I’ve had new heel caps put on, but otherwise they will last for decades more.  The color is funky but fun, too!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGSPY.COM

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