I love saddle shoes, I always have and for a vintage loving gal of the 1940s and 1950s I think it’s important to have a pair in your closet. I do…of course (see below all dressed up for a Halloween Party, but I really dress like this all the time lol!)
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, Unique Vintage, RocknRomance Vintage & Collectif are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Many people when they think of saddle shoes they think of 1950s poodle skirts and Elvis and that is partially true but did you know that the shoes were originally created for athletic use? When? 1906! Yes the saddle shoe was around almost 50 years earlier than many people think.
What does a saddle shoe look like?
Saddle shoes originated from an Oxford shoe (flat heel, lace up leather shoe). The black distinguishing middle piece, the “saddle” was originally created to help support the instep during sports…Surprise surprise! The rest of the shoe is white which was the traditional look but the shoe can also be found in other colours too. Note: Young college aged men and women wore this shoe.
Saddle shoes for everyday wear for women
The shoes could be worn with swing skirts or dresses and bobby socks for a night of jitterbug/Lindy hop or match them with a blouse and pants (rolled up or normal). Here are some great examples of how you could wear your saddle shoes.
Saddle shoes moved from an athletic shoe only seen during sports to everyday during the late 1930s, early 40s as young women looked for shoes that were more functional and represented their more active lifestyle. Plus there was a ration on the size of a shoe heel during the war and the low heeled saddle shoe fit the bill.
As the war ended and 1950s hit almost every young women/college girl had saddle shoes in her closet. The below picture is pretty standard when one thinks of the 1950’s teenager (even though below is more costume then what was typically worn).
So there you have it the brief history of saddle shoes. Now go out and put some in your closet today! I recommend Etsy , eBay (you can buy new ones on there), Unique Vintage (brand new & seen below),
Happy Shopping!
Liz
Further Reading:
For more vintage images of men and women in saddles shoes, please check out my dedicated Pinterest Board “Saddle Shoes“.
you look adorable in your saddle shoes.I only wish the pic was larger:)
I wear saddle shoes all the time and always with thin white fold over anklets
Thanks! Sorry about the pic still learning about what sizes work or don’t work with this blog lol! Wearing my saddle shoes right now actually. Yay team saddle shoes!
I look forward to seeing you in your saddle shoes again.
your outfit looked adorable with them.nothing cuter than
saddle shoes and white bobby socks with an outfit
Will post some outfit pics soon once I get a good camera and a second hand lol
Sexy and hot wish I was alive back in the rockin 40’s an 50’s dam you lady’s where so freaking cute, I would want to go out with all them poodles lol, post more sexy pics lady’s. 38/m/ky ..
Hi Liz
I enjoyed your writeup on saddle shoes. I saw
them in windows in Niagra Falls, Canada in the 50s. I thought they were only worn in the USA at the time.
Bill
Hi Bill, thanks for dropping by 🙂 That is interesting little tidbit about never realizing Saddle Shoes were also worn in Canada. I bet you were surprised when you saw them in the window.
Liz
Yes, I was surrised to see them in Canada. A few years later I saw agirl wearing saddle shoes in Costa Rica. Are you still interested in discussing saddle shobllbolen@netscape.net
You can wear them anywhere you want! They are very comfortable 🙂
Wigwam 625s make perfect bobby socks to wear with saddle shoes or penny loafers. They are classic 50s socks. When folded, they make a nice thick cuff. Very authentic.
Thank you look very beautiful I see in your saddle shoes I think that a lot more older people men and women should wear saddle shoes but again I thought you were very beautiful in your saddle shoes
Thanks! Saddle shoes are great and very comfortable. I will wear them long into my later years for sure!
Liz