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Pedicures?

AvavanBlythe

Familiar Face
Messages
88
Location
US
I've seen lots and lots of manicure articles and blogs, but I've never seen anyone talk about pedicures. Does anyone have a clue what was done then? I've always been curious of whether or not women went with a natural-shaped look for pedicures, or if they rounded off toenails. Thinking of new beauty ideas for the summer and the beach made me think about this. I've seen plenty of blogs try to do their idea of "half moon" on their toes, which was cute but wouldn't fly for me.
 

Wire9Vintage

A-List Customer
Messages
411
Location
Texas
Between stockings and closed-toe shoes, there wasn't much call for pedicures. The only concern was keeping toenails short and smooth so as to not snag expensive stockings!
 

LizzieMaine

Bartender
Messages
33,755
Location
Where The Tourists Meet The Sea
Pedicures became popular with the rise of the open-toed shoe in the late thirties, but since these shoes were usually worn with stockings -- which always had reinfocement at the toes -- not much of the pedicure was actually shown off. The peep-toes of the Era weren't like the open-toed shoes of today -- they featured a small opening which displayed "just a peep" of the big toe.
 

AvavanBlythe

Familiar Face
Messages
88
Location
US
In some photos where I'd seen bathing suits and bare feet, I'd noticed that black & white photos only showed very light colors on the toes. I had always assumed that they just tried to keep groomed toes. Though I suppose celebrities would have went for professional pedicures, much like today. (Odd the forum logged me out as I tried to post.)
 

GreenMary

New in Town
Messages
2
Location
Kansas City
I'm sure pedicures was always made especially by the celebrities, but what about colours I think they were much more natural than nowadays.
 

LizzieMaine

Bartender
Messages
33,755
Location
Where The Tourists Meet The Sea
Pedicures became popular with the rise of the peep-toed shoe in the mid-thirties. Even though stockings were worn with these shoes, it was considered a fashionable idea to have colored polish on your toes so that your shoes might reveal a "peep" of them.
 

AvavanBlythe

Familiar Face
Messages
88
Location
US
I usually don't expect people to reply months after a topic has gold old, so thank you all for adding feedback. Recently I'd seen a post on the FB fan page and did see a celebrity photo with a full on pedicure. Given that women in the 40s worked hard to be presentable, even during war time, I wondered about smaller details. I suppose I should remember that the 40s isn't as hard to research as the 14th century. :p
 

blissann

New in Town
Messages
5
I prefer a simple pedicure with a transparent pink or a skintone nude. If I want some fun, I use holographic nail polishes by F.U.N Lacquer - they look just great but the party happens when you find some sunshine.. The nails don't demand attention, but if you do look at them they're very pretty and classy
 
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