Vintage Heel Heights

[maisie]

All of these vintage shoes are just divine!

But alas, I too have huge size 10 feet. Anyone ever come across a vintage shoe that big? I don't think I've ever even seen them on eBay!

Sigh! Someday....

Hey got a pair of size 11's if your interested!

 

[artdecodame]

The one thing that bothers me about buying modern shoes is that the manufacturer almost never gets the heel shape right.

Ugh, I hate that. I might be called snobby for being so specific with vintage-y looks, but oh, well. I just can't stand seeing high, modern stiletto heels paired with an otherwise cute 1920's shoe.

 

[Lauren]

I know! I do the same thing. I'll get all thrilled walking through Macy's or something, but then turn the shoe sideways and am nearly always dissapointed by a stiletto or overly chunky heel. Every once in a while they get it right, but not often enough!

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Ugh, I hate that. I might be called snobby for being so specific with vintage-y looks, but oh, well. I just can't stand seeing high, modern stiletto heels paired with an otherwise cute 1920's shoe.

It just ruins the overall look. I say, if the designers are going to copy a style, they might as well copy the whole thing!

 

[Caledonia]

Yep, correct heel shape is a must. I just had a quick look through the collection, and my heel heights vary hugely from about 1inch flats to the 4 inch spring-o-lator. I noticed that the "grannies" varied from 1.75 to almost 3. And to be honest the 3 inch doesn't feel any less comfy than the low one. Here are some from my "granny" collection, and three at the end that are 40s and 50s day shoes, all with 2.75-3 inch heels. I think the vintage shoes are easier to walk in because generally they encase the foot properly as well has having better arch support, better heels, better sole construction, well better everything really.

 

[artdecodame]

...but then turn the shoe sideways and am nearly always dissapointed by a stiletto or overly chunky heel. Every once in a while they get it right, but not often enough!

This pair is a good example, too:
http://www.anthropologie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=11331&itemType=PRODUCT&iSubCat=815&iMainCat=812

I can just imagine it with a nicer, more late-30's heel!

Edit: Although, these do come pretty close to an early 30's heel for dancing and evening wear:
http://www.anthropologie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=8053&itemType=PRODUCT&iSubCat=1165&iMainCat=840

 

[Shimmy Sally]

And to be honest the 3 inch doesn't feel any less comfy than the low one. I think the vintage shoes are easier to walk in because generally they encase the foot properly as well has having better arch support, better heels, better sole construction, well better everything really.

I agree, the toe box is usually reasonable too. Plus I wear a 6- 6 1/2 so it's easier to find my size in vintage. I happen to like high heels better than flats, if made right that shouldn't hurt.
I don't mind designers mixing eras if they can come up with a new combination that actually works. That is not often the case.

 

[Tourbillion]

I noticed that there are almost no vintage flats before around, 1950. I know that since ladies wore skirts that heels look better, but still. The only common low heeled shoes are the occasional saddle oxfords and the WWII era "utility" wedges.

I noticed that vintage keds even came with heels!

(I would love to see a pair of these babies come up on ebay in my size.)

Well mostly, here's a photo (more of the family album) of another 1920's great auntie in flat tennis shoes (and linen slacks)!

BTW, I used to find size 11 (and even 12) vintage shoes, the supply has dried up.

 

[Caledonia]

Very true, and as LizzieMaine said, you can be really surprised by a vintage heel height. They just don't feel it. I have several 3inch+ 30s-50s and wouldn't blink at wearing them all night.

 

[Lauren]

This pair is a good example, too:
http://www.anthropologie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=11331&itemType=PRODUCT&iSubCat=815&iMainCat=812

I can just imagine it with a nicer, more late-30's heel!

Edit: Although, these do come pretty close to an early 30's heel for dancing and evening wear:
http://www.anthropologie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=8053&itemType=PRODUCT&iSubCat=1165&iMainCat=840

Ooohh. I love Anthropologie shoes. Too bad they're so dang expensive. That second pair looks pretty spot on. Too bad it's not in a solid color!

 

[jitterbugdoll]

That second pair looks pretty spot on. Too bad it's not in a solid color!

I thought they would make a unique pair of bridal shoes, actually (for the bride or her maids), paired with a dress in a shade of one of the colors. They are an excellent reproduction!

I noticed in a 1937 catalog that several patterned dresses were offered with matching shoes--I thought it looked rather neat (good marketing concept, too.)

A few months ago I came across a dynamite pair of floral-print fabric 1950s shoes--how I wish they had been my size if only for the uniqueness factor

 

[Lauren]

Yes! The patterned shoes are too adorable. If they were less expensive I'd get them in a heartbeat! I guess I meant that I have a dress in mind I need a solid pair of shoes for and wish they were in color options!

Good idea about the bridal party idea! That would be too cute!

 

[Paisley]

Heels don't bother me, but the itty bitty toes nowadays do! The vintage shoes look like they have a taller toe area than modern shoes do. I have a darling pair of suede pumps under my desk that I can't wear because I don't have tiny little twinkle toes. Alas, my feet are also wide and it's hard to find any shoes at all that fit.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

I know you ladies keep saying you are able to find vintage shoes in your size but I really have almost no luck finding size 9.5 platforms. The only place I tend to find shoes in my size is at Bobby from Boston's. What do you use as your search on ebay to find vintage shoes?

Incidentally, if you need something specific, chances are Bobby from Boston has it. He did costumes for Titanic, A Beautiful Mind, and Road to Perdition. He has a nice little storefront but he also has a warehouse packed full of everything you could possibly want. He is not cheap, but is willing to bargain. If you are searching, call him. (617) 423-9299.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Miss_Bella_Hell--I don't search for anything specific; I'll type in "1940s shoes" and sift through what turns up. But you have to check the measurements; I rarely trusted the listed size (even if it is printed in the shoe.) I wear a 7.5B and I have bought shoes marked 6.5B all the way up to 9N, and had them fit just fine.


Here's a recent purchase of mine, with a 4-inch heel:

 

[decodoll]

I just look through everything in the 1920-1938 and 1939-1946 sections. I don't go by the listed size either. However, if the measurement is too different than what I know the listed size should be, I will send the seller a question first to confirm that the measurement is correct.

 

[LizzieMaine]

A question about foot-measuring --

How closely should the length of the foot match the inner measurement of the shoe? I'm assuming you need to allow some wiggle room, but what's a good guideline? Half an inch? More? Less?

I've always been afraid to try the foot-measuring bit for buying shoes on eBay, because there always seems to be such a margin for error in both measurements and sizing. According to the Brannock Device at the shoe store, I'm an exact 9 1/2 B -- but it's rare that I can actually fit my foot comfortably into a 9 1/2 shoe, and usually I have to go up to a 10. And when I actually measure my feet with a ruler, I never seem to get the same figure twice...

 

[decodoll]

Don't measure your feet, measure a pair of shoes that are comfortable and compare that to the seller's measurements. But to answer your question, I buy a shoe that is 9 1/2 inches and my feet measure 9 inches.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Lizzie--don't measure your foot--measure the inside width and length of a similar pair of well-fitting shoes and compare it to the listed measurements of the pair you are interested in buying. So, if you are looking to buy a pair of pumps, measure a pair of pumps that you already own.

Here's a general guideline that I have used before (it's a tad on the small side):
http://remixvintageshoes.com/sizechart.html

 

[LizzieMaine]

Ahhhhh -- the light dawns! Thanx for the tip -- and Jitterbugdoll, those are gorgeous shoes!