Category Archives: vintage shoes

TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S MARY JANE’S – CUTEST ALL-LEATHER MOD CARNABY STREET SHOES

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA     Look what I found in Canada!  Celebrity brand Mary Janes with leather soles and chunky heels.

These would be from the mid to late 1960’s.  Like some others I’ve shown before, one shoe has the maker’s name stamped on the footbed and the other has the name of the local store that sold them.  This was a common practice in the Forties, Fifties and Sixties when small, privately-owned shoe stores were in every town and city and many of them had a good relationship with the suppliers of the special brands they sold.

Probably moderately priced when they were originally sold, but quality, quality, quality all the way . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

CAN’T BELIEVE IT!! 1970’S WHITE LEATHER FRINGED MOCCASIN BOOTIES

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This is so bizarre – more true vintage white leather shoes with magnificently clean uppers.  Moccasin booties are especially rare and fun to find.

A BIG fad for women in the 1950’s, they were often brought back from vacation as Southwestern U.S. souvenirs.  People have been fascinated with the American West and the Native American culture for decades.

Just the thing to wear with jeans and they were perfect with Native American-made circle skirts and dresses, which were also very popular among more adventurous white American housewives in the Fifties and Sixties.  These were probably made a decade later, but the style is classic.  Also, with the Thunderbird – my personal totem . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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 1960’S HEELS – PERFECT LITTLE SLINGBACK PUMPS

TRUE VINTAGE PUMPS FOR SUMMER - PERFECT LITTLE SIXTIES SLINGBACKS

These, again, are a favorite pair of shoes and look great with that little suit from yesterday.  So classic, they can be worn any time of year.  In fact, they look great with many of the dresses coming up . . . . . . .

They were made by Life Stride, with leather uppers and synthetic soles (but that very long-wearing stuff).  This company also made purses to match, as did many of the other mid-priced shoemakers then.

Very flattering fit and the bows on the back straps are so sweet!  I wear them a lot.  Mid-heels make them super comfortable and practical for shopping to dancing, but sexy-looking, too. . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S ITALIAN KIDSUEDE PUMPS

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1960’S KENNEDY ERA HEELS

Well, as of yesterday I’ve gone back to Europe again, but only in terms of the origin of some of my most recent finds.  Nothing (much) is better than Italian leather and these early 1960’s shoes are no exception.  Kid-suede and reptile with leather soles – ummmm. . . .

Excepting for the need for new heel caps (a minor detail), they are in beautiful condition.  100% leather construction is a major plus and means, that with good care, these mid-heel pumps can last a lifetime.

Nothing more classic, nothing more high-quality and nothing more iconic early – Sixties than these . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

HEADING BACK IN TIME AGAIN – ANOTHER RARE FIND IN EUROPE. MID-CENTURY LEATHER HIGH-HEEL PUMPS

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TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER SHOES

If you look closely, you’ll see that these pumps were Made In America.  When was the last time we saw that printed on something?  It’s always the U.S.A. now, and has been since the 1970’s, I think.

These beauties are from way before that time – 1940’s – 1960’s – and have wonderful leather construction.  Although you can’t see it in the photo, the heels are 3″ high and sturdy.

Though found in Ireland (Dublin, to be exact), it goes to show that trade for some goods was going on even back then.  Maybe this pair are from the early mid-century era when Europe suffered more than North America from the effects of war and had to import many goods that otherwise would have been made there.

We’ll never know the exact story of how these slippers danced their way across the Atlantic, but someone loved them well and they found their way to – guess who . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SCORE! SLEUTHING SUCCESS

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-1111121111111 Found two stores in Dublin today.  The first, run by a long-time vintage clothing expert, stocks beautiful true vintage from mid-century and before.  Men’s and women’s!  BETTY BOJANGLES.

The second discovery, right next door, sells excellent quality by the kilo.  I was able to find blouses and shoes while still meeting my standard for fabulous frugality.  THE VINTAGE FACTORY.

The perfect treasure-hunt .  .  .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

 

VINTAGE IN DUBLIN

file0001209214386-ebook-cover-1-1111121111111 Back to Western Europe and finding many vintage clothing shops here – concentrated in the Temple Bar area.  This won’t be any surprise to Dubliners, but worth a trek to anyone visiting the city.

I scoped out stores that are already listed in the reference section of my book, and was told about more which tend to hide from the mainstream.  A real gem is Jenny Vander, with a 40 – year history and full of beautiful true vintage from mid – century and before.  HUGE collection of costume jewelry!

Most  places stock  little older than the ’70’s or ’80’s, but the hidden gem might be discovered.  Prices are reasonable, but not a real bargain.  For a seasoned investigator, however .  .  .  .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

MY FAVORITE RED TRUE VINTAGE STILETTO HEELS BY THE KINNEY COMPANY

TRUE VINTAGE STILETTO HEELS BY THE KINNEY COMPANY

If you’ve visited my Facebook page or read my book, you will have seen this picture, but I’ve never talked as much about it, so far, as I will here.  Maybe you remember when Kinney shoes had a store in just about every mall or shopping center and then kind of disappeared. Well, these lovelies were made before that time.  I took them to a shoemaker from Poland who had 25 years experience MAKING shoes and now does repair.  He told me that they were 30 – 40 years old.

They have a ’40s – ’50s vibe but were made in the ’70s. The label is of cloth, embedded in the insole. How often do we see that?! As you can imagine, they are very well-made of leather with Vibram soles.

I love this style so much, and the heels are very high. Any kind of peep-toe pump really gets my attention. Couldn’t resist these, and what a fabulous find!   You just never know . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

TRUE VINTAGE 1970S BOHO WESTERN – INSPIRED JEENZ BOOTZ BY CAPEZIO

TRUE VINTAGE 1970S BOHO WESTERN - INSPIRED JEENZ BOOTZ BY CAPEZIO

Samples of two pairs I own, these were made in America by Capezio.  They are styled like authentic Western-wear but with 3″ stiletto heels!  It seems like they were a short-lived fashion moment, more or less. Well-made and nicely detailed, anyway.

Some other company may have made something similar, but these are probably the nicest and are a true late 1970’s fashion moment.  Looked great with jeans.  Just the thing to wear when you’re going out to do the Texas Two-Step. (maybe line-dancing?)

Capezio has been a popular shoe company for many years. The founder started his shop in the late 1880s, specializing in footwear for dancers. They are probably still best known for that.

When I found these, three pairs were together – probably from the same original owner. Bonanza!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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