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!)
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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“.
