The return of September always puts me in the mood for collegiate styles, no matter how many years it's been now since I last sat in school desk, and clearly I'm not the only one.
In the past few weeks, I've received seven different email questions from folks around around the world (in places spanning the globe from Germany to Australia, Brazil to America), asking me to help them track down modern sources of vintage style saddle shoes.
{Once an incredibly common and much beloved style of footwear, especially amongst the youth of the day, saddle shoes are now a fair bit trickier to come by. Thankfully though, numerous online sources for such do exist and we'll take a look at several of them in today's post.}
While saddle shoes (also sometimes called saddle oxfords) are not, of course, strictly school day related attire, they were a very, very common for students in the years spanning the 1930s to the 1960s (with a revival for them appearing in both the 1970s and 1980s, respectively).
As a new season of classes are kicking off this month for countless folks of all ages the world over, now seemed like a perfect time to share some information here with all of you, in case you're also on the hunt for a new pair of vintage appropriate saddle shoes.
But first let's explore...
A brief history of saddle shoes
The humble - and immensely appealing - saddle shoe received its start in life very early in the twentieth century and was first designed primarily as a sports shoe, worn commonly by male basketball, football, golf, and baseball players in particular. American shoe brand A.G. Spalding is believed to have been the first company to introduce the saddle shoe to the American market, doing so back in 1906.
The saddle shoes gets its name from the piece of leather (or imitation leather) that is attached over the top of the front of the shoe (an area that is technically called the waist of the shoe) and which, as its name implies, resembles a horse riding saddle (though, interestingly, saddle shoes themselves are not particularly well suited to horseback riding and are rarely worn for such).
Though similar to spectator shoes in many ways, the two differed primarily because spectator styles also include contrasting areas on other parts of the shoe as well, such as the toe area.
{Actor Harold Lloyd sporting a pair of saddle shoes for what looks to be a fun day of boating, c. 1920.}
Saddle shoes quickly gained popularity amongst athletes both while they were engaging in sports and off the court/field, as they were comfortable, durable, casual but still stylish, and budget-friendly to boot.
In no time at all, female classmates, girlfriends, and cheerleaders all began to borrow this style from their male peers and before long, companies were producing ladies saddle shoes, too - and in fact, though they remained popular with box sexes for decades, as time went on, saddle shoes became even more frequent a footwear choice for female wearers.
Saddle shoes were not exclusively the domain of the young however, and many folks who were long past their schooldays adopted them for golf wear, as well as general leisure attire. In addition, they proved hugely popular with dancers during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, especially those who engaged in swing and big band related forms of dance, such as the Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, and swing.
{Youngsters and their shoes at a sock hop dance that took place in Oklahoma City, back in the late 1940s.}
Though saddle shoes were most warmly embraced in North America (even being sported for a time by the Girl Scouts of America as part of the organization's official uniform), their reach spread far and wide around the globe and today they stand as one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable elements of mid-century fashion.
Their lasting appeal, and our fascination with saddle shoes to this day, stems both from a sense of nostalgia, as well as from the fact that - somewhat uncommonly for the era - they were also a unisex garment in an age and time when extremely clear distinctions were usually still being drawn between male and female fashions.
Back in the day - especially during the 1940s through to the early 1960s - saddle shoes were created in a dazzlingly array of colour combinations, the most famous of which is arguably the classic pairing of black and white.
Other beloved versions included navy blue and white, green and white, brown and white, dark and light brown (or tan), red or burgundy and white, grey and black, and cream and brown, amongst others. Saddle shoes were typically made with genuine leather uppers, but canvas, suede, and imitation (faux) leather versions were also produced.
Laces were often, but not always, white or brown and could be either flat (sneaker style) or rounded (more like those of an oxford or dress shoe). Saddle shoes were commonly sported with crisp white socks (including the now, also iconic, bobby socks of the 1940s, 50s and early 60), especially by girls and ladies, though just about every type of socks, tights and nylons were paired with saddle shoes at one point or another in time.
{Saddle shoes were a shoe store and mail order catalog for numerous decades of the last century, when a page such as this from 1953 edition of the Sears catalog would have been a very common sight, especially in North America.}
Saddle shoes - which are, essentially, a (usually) low heeled version of a classic brogue or oxford shoe - were produced in sizes ranging from infant to adult, children's, and both men's and women's, and even though many were made from genuine leather (often with sturdy rubber soles), most pairs of saddle shoes were quite affordable, which further upped their widespread adoption and long-term popularity.
The vast majority of North American shoe stores, department stores (including both Sears and, here in Canada, Eaton's), (some) five and dimes, and clothing and/or footwear related mail order catalogs sold saddle shoes from the early to mid-twentieth century and it was rare to encounter a family during that time in which at least one (if not all) member(s) of the household had a pair of saddle shoes.
Much as like white bucks, another beloved footwear choice from the era, saddle shoes could be tricky to keep clean, but such was certainly doable and a new - or newly cleaned - pair always cut a dashing footwear figure, just as it continues to do to this day (one of my personal favourite ways to clean saddle shoes is with a lightly damp, basic variety of Mr Clean Magic Eraser Sponge; do check in an inconspicuous area of your shoes first to make sure that the dyes used on your particular pair of saddle shoes are colourfast and that the eraser sponge won't otherwise damage the material of your shoes either).
{Actress Dorothy Jordan wearing saddle shoes in a promo photograph for the MGM film "Love in the Rough", 1930.}
Just about everyone wore saddle shoes back in the day. They were an ubiquitous type of footwear that crossed cultural lines, spanned age groups, united both genders, and which frequently appeared on the feet of celebrities, such as actors and musicians, as well.
Prior to the mid-1960s, you would have been hard pressed to find a footwear or department store that didn't sell saddle shoes, but these days, things can be quite a different story indeed. Thankfully however, there are still brands that are putting out 21st century versions of the classic saddle shoe, and today we'll delve into exploring some of the online sources of such.
Where to buy vintage style saddle shoes
Naturally, this list of ten different online sources, is not a complete and total roundup of every single possible website that currently sells saddle shoes, but it should be a good jumping off point for those, pretty much anywhere in the world, who are looking to pick up their first pair of saddle shoes or grow their existing collection of this classic two-tone style of footwear.
-Amazon: While most verities of saddle shoes currently available from Amazon are the timeless B&W style, they currently stock a few others as well, including these immensely pretty - and very reasonably priced - white and pink saddle shoes as well.
-B.A.I.T. Footwear: B.A.I.T. has become a huge player in the vintage appropriate/retro/just plain darling vegan footwear sphere in recent years and are a firm favourite amongst many vintage, repro, rockabilly, and pinup girl clothing fans. Their classic saddle shoe inspired offerings come in a range of punchy hues, including (at present) such delightful options, as seafoam green, mustard yellow, red, and lavender purple, as well as classic black and white.
-Eastland Shoes: Celebrating their 60th year of business in 2016, Eastland Shoes offering up a lovely little selection of saddle shoes, including navy blue and white, black and white, and a very appealing two-tone brown suede version (pictured above).
-G.H. Bass & Co: One of the oldest and most respected footwear brands in America, Bass, as the brand is frequently known by, was founded back in 1876 and is still going strong to this day. Their saddle shoe selection currently include both traditional and somewhat more modern colour combinations for both ladies and gents (in addition, Bass is a great source for numerous other vintage shoe styles, including loafers and weejuns).
-ModCloth: As one might expect given their fabulous passion for yesteryear styles, ModCloth's offerings include this low heeled B&W version with a chic black sole.
-Muffy's: For many years now, Muffy's has been one of the best and most complete online sources for vintage style saddle shoes in a wide range of sizes, colours, and styles for men and women alike. If you're having trouble tracking down a certain type of saddle shoe, I highly suggest checking this much loved website out first.
-Payless Shoes: Though at the moment, they only have a traditional black and white version in stock, over the years, I have seen other colourways available from Payless and can attest (as I've owned some) that their budget friendly Predictions line saddle shoe (which is available in US ladies sizes and half sizes spanning 5 - 12), pictured above, is very comfortable (even if you have hard to fit feet like mine).
-Swedish Hasbeens: Though their own version is not, at present, available on their website any longer, I was still able to track down Swedish Hasbeen's chic, understated take on the classic saddle shoe for sale from UK seller Spartoo.
-Unique Vintage: Purveyors of all kinds of swoon worthy vintage style, rockabilly, and pinup fashions, US based Unique Vintage carries a small assortment of saddle shoes style from various brands, including this classic B&W pair, and the incredibly charming Baby Pink & Cream Retro Halle Oxford Saddle Shoes (shown above), which are a very appealing 21st century spin on traditional saddle shoes.
-Zappos: If you're looking for an iconic black and white pair of saddle shoes with sturdy red rubber soles just like many of those back in the mid-twentieth century had, US online shoe mega site Zappos has you covered (and this particular style is even available in three different widths, including wide).
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{To learn more about a specific image used in today's post, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}
Saddle shoes continue to come back in and out of style, sometimes in slightly modified form (such as with a high heel, like this pink and white pair, or in more of a creeper design), but even during the 1980s, when the forties and fifties looks had some real sartorial moments again, they have never reached the zenith that they did back during the 1920s - 1960s.
Luckily for us though, because they still remain desirable amongst vintage fashion fans, dancers, historical costumers, theater and movie costumers, natty dressers, and folks just looking to reunite with a wonderful fashion trend for their earlier days, saddle shoes can still be had online and - just as back in the day - don't have to break the bank.
Saddle shoes were, and remain, just plain fun. If you get a pair that fits you well, they're also usually highly comfortable and indeed, I almost always tuck my saddle shoes into my suitcase when we travel, as they make a wonderful choice for long days of walking, light hiking, or sightseeing (or even, as in the case of our 2014 trip to Vancouver Island, whale watching).
{Then, as now, saddle shoes are an excellent option if you're going to be on your feet a fair bit, be it while on vacation, running errands, or doing work at home, as this stylish 1950s woman attests to.}
I would argue that they're such a true vintage wardrobe basic that anyone with an interest in sporting mid-century fashions today, would be well served by having at least one pair in their closet.
Though genuine vintage pairs of saddle shoes can be found online (eBay and Etsy are both great sources for such), if sizing and/or price and/or colourways are a factor - as such will be for most folks - then opting for modern vintage inspired saddle shoes such as those from the ten different online sources highlighted in today's post may be a better (or at least equally appealing) option.
Saddle shoes are amongst my favourite types of vintage footwear ever. My first ones were an adorable pink and white pair that my paternal grandparents brought me back from a trip to the States (bless my grandma's heart, she totally "got" and supported my early childhood love of vintage) when I was all of about six of seven years old. I've rarely been without at least one pair in my closet since then and suspect that such will always be the case.
Are you a fan of these classic two-tone shoes as well? Do you currently own any yourself? Do you have any favourite online saddle shoe sources that I didn't mention here in today's post?
Please feel free to share them in the comments below if you do, so that this post can be an even bigger roundup of such for all those the world over who are looking to track down a pair of vintage style saddle shoes for their own wardrobe, too.
