While vintage clothing has always had a large following, many new designers and companies are feeding the demand for all things retro by coming out with vintage inspired clothing. In order to complete any vintage look, one must find the right shoes. Some of the most popular shoes are inspired by the 1920’s “flapper era” when Mary Janes were in vogue. There are also newer, sleeker versions of the stiletto, the open-toe pump, the ankle boot, and the wedge.
The sling-back is another favorite from the 1930’s. Naughty Monkey’s “Fairy Tale” pump features an open toe and comes in a lovely cream color. BCBGirls’ “Scent” heel takes advantage of both the oxford style trend and the sling-back trend. Laurel” from Betseyville by Betsey Johnson has a fun pink and zebra print bow across the top of the black sling-back. If you’re looking for a wedge sling-back, Pin Up Girl Clothing has a navy blue patent espadrille. L.A.M.B. has a sexy (but slightly pricey) “Hoshi” sling-back.
Mary Janes, either with a t-strap or just a plain strap continue to be among the top shoe trend for women season after season. Many of the newer vintage-inspired styles hitting shelves feature a stiletto heel, like Harajuku Lover’s “Airlie 2” black patent three-strapped shoe. If you need a simple patent red shoe, Steve Madden’s “Babbett” would be a good choice. Plasticland carries several vintage-inspired strappy shoes, such as this white and black scalloped Mary Jane. I think the bow on this shoe is adorable. They also sell a gray 1920’s style Mary Jane. Naturalizer, a brand known for comfort, makes a vintage-inspired leather and suede Mary Jane, a t-strap Mary Jane, and a dressy black patent style. For those (like myself) who lack the grace required for high heels, Naturalizer has a cute but dressy t-strap with a shorter kitten heel. Sofft’s “Verina” pump is a classic 1920’s style Mary Jane. Fluevog’s sweet and sophisticated “Operetta” comes in several bright colors.
Ankle Boots and oxford-style heels inspired by 1940’s and 1950’s footwear are in high demand now, like the Venti Espresso heel, Jeffrey Campbell’s “Paris” bootie, or Harajuku Lover’s “Dobson”. Pin Up Girl’s daring black patent bootie features a zipper and 3-1/2″ heels. Poetic License offers a brogue style shoe with snakeskin detailing. For a Victorian flair, check out these “Style Academy Bootie” or Sofft’s “Orlena.”
The beauty of most of these vintage-inspired shoes is that they can be worn with a retro outfit, like a swing dress, or a more modern frock. How retro you want to go is totally up to you!
Sources:
Heels.com
Naturalizer
Nordstrom
Pin-Up Girl Clothing
Plasticland
Wikipedia
