Tag Archives: shoes

TOTALLY CLASSIC, ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TRUE VINTAGE WARDROBE SHOES. WHAT ARE THEY?

100% LEATHER PENNY LOAFERS. Don’t care who you are, where you are, what your age, what you do; if you want to build a true vintage wardrobe, high quality penny loafers made of leather are a MUST. You might think that this is only an American or western European fashion, but not so. They originated over 100 years ago in Norway and, like the human population, have migrated into mainstream fashion all over the world since then. Men, especially, have been able to wear them as dress shoes since the beginning. They were de rigeuer for high school and college men and coeds at least since WWII; Probably replaced the saddle shoe in most adolescent closets. Mid-century pennies are a strong suggestion.

Highly polished, for smart casual to semi-formal dress. Lightly scuffed or a little dusty for just about everything else. Pretty versatile. Smooth leather in black or cordovan brown is the true classic. The full leather construction is mandatory because it’s original and also allows them to be repaired forever. (OK, a true vintage synthetic sole is acceptable if that is all you can find, but keep looking). In line with my philosophy regarding humane treatment of animals and environmental sustainability, I don’t recommend buying modern retro versions at retail, no matter how nice they are. You can find the real thing at second-hand and they’re better. Also, I’m obviously all about running undercover investigations and that’s a lot more fun because – you just never know. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

20 YEARS BEFORE NEW WAVE, ELECTRIC BLUE STILETTO HEELS FROM THE EARLY 1960’S

Slightly more extreme silhouette, I’d say that these heels are a few years younger than the pink shoes from yesterday. The metallic blue color is very Las Vegas. They look like patent leather and you might expect that because of their age but I believe that they are some type of synthetic. The brand name was probably printed on the insole but has worn away so completely that I can’t depend on it to help me out. Soles are also a synthetic. Very durable, but not a mark of higher quality. These babies were definitely mid-priced but good to go for a long time.

They’re not as tiny as yesterday’s pink pumps and I can wear them! Great find because I have a sateen semi-formal cocktail dress in the same blue color from the same era. That’s one of the most fun things about sleuthing investigations – finding the clues that fit together. Solves the mystery for that outfit! Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY LITTLE PINK PUMPS

Maybe Peggy Sue wore these to the Prom. Entirely possible – Life Stride brand shoes were mid-priced and available at shoe stores in town centers where everybody shopped in mid-century America. A very popular brand; they often sold purses to match the shoes. This was a big deal for women in the 1950’s and early 1960’s and tons of them were sold. Looks like the company, in some form, is still operating. If you shop Walmart, take a look there but I doubt you’ll find anything nearly as wonderful as these, and certainly not with the history . . .. . . . .

Let me know if you have any Life Stride stories. I’d love to have them for the archives and stay tuned.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS SHOES FROM THE 1970’S

From the Seventies does Forties period, early in that decade, these beautiful leather shoes were made in South Africa. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I spied them. In wonderful condition, even though they were more than 30 years old at the time. I adore peep-toe pumps and virtually anything 1940’s, so this was a no-brainer. Also, investigating the clue was fascinating.

Made for Kinney in South Africa? Wow. Who knew? Of course, things made and sold in any of the countries which were part of the British colonies found their way all around the world, so could end up anywhere. I took them to a shoe repair to have one little piece of elastic on the straps replaced. The owner was a man from Europe who had made shoes there before emigrating. He corroborated my conclusion that these pumps had been very well-made.

Unfortunately, they were about 1/2 – 1 size too big for me and in an open style like this, that’s too much. The fit will be wonky and they’ll be unstable on your feet with not much you can do about it. So, a lucky gal in Australia profited from my discovery. Who knows what streets they’re walking now? I’m going to be on a shoe streak for a little while so stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

Another True Vintage Accessory – Fabulous Spanish-made Boots

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These beauties were made in 1979! Wow, do I ever love them!! Soft, supple glove leather with leather soles and heels. All the beautiful workmanship that was expected in European-made footwear. Shoes from Spain and Italy, especially. Not sure if that’s true now, but it certainly was up to a couple of decades ago. Still have the original everything and they’re going strong!

Oldies really are the best goodies! And, on top of that, they don’t contribute to animal cruelty or inhumanity in the marketplace today. True vintage purchases, especially from a reputable charity shop or individual (do your research) is VEGAN and responsible. That can go for anything made of leather, skins or fur several decades ago. We can appreciate and get service from these vintage items without doing any harm to life or the environment today. That’s how to enjoy the best of the best. Stay tuned . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FAVORITE 1940’S – EARLY 1950’S WARTIME OR POST-WAR SHOES

The pair on top, with the vamp decoration, alas was too small for me. But, this second pair goes so well with my wartime and mid-century day and house dresses. I love wearing them all the time. Even love the brand name: Vitality!

So cute. Both these pairs are examples of economical footwear of the time with leather or composite soles and man-made uppers. In spite of the cheaper construction, however, they last and last – unlike many products for sale today. Hope we’re going back in that direction. Too much cheap clothing and accessories in the landfills.

No doom & gloom here. Things look good from behind-the-scenes. Happy Holidays and looking forward to a fabulous 2023!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MY FAVORITE 1940’S – EARLY FIFTIES PLATFORM SLING-BACK’S IN SUEDE

MY FAVORITE 1940’S – EARLY FIFTIES PLATFORM SLING-BACK’S IN SUEDE

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I have so many pairs of shoes that I absolutely love, but these are truly favorites.  So versatile, so comfortable and so “Forties”.

All-leather construction, of course, and well-made.  I even wore them one day walking in a parade on city pavement for a couple of hours, wearing a true vintage dress.  They stood up beautifully and didn’t hurt my feet!

So, I’ll have these for life.  Lovely to not have to say good-bye to favorites – I can just have them repaired eventually.

Ah, the beauty of true vintage . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy

Blog:  Magicvintagespy.com

Book:  How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

A Few 1930’s -1940s – early 1950’s Wardrobe Staples

A Few 1930’s -1940s – early 1950’s Wardrobe Staples

A Few 1940s Wardrobe Staples

Here are a few items that I ran across by surprise – from the 1940s (or so).  All perfect finishes for a wartime or post-war costume.  Mary-jane all leather shoes (always a classic), Capezio soft leather dance or casual flats and a couple of simple woven bags from the Depression era or time of wartime rationing – a drawstring and one with a metal zip in the top.  It’s fun to find things in such good condition (and at very good prices). You just never know . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy

Blog:  Magicvintagespy.com