I’m back to subject you to some more scans from that 1944 catalog this morning! (Are you getting bored of these yet? I admit, when I tend to be excited about something, I go a little overboard… lol.) This time it’s the thing that makes my heart go pitter-patter: shoes! I’m not always a huge fan of 40s shoe styles; some just aren’t flattering to my legs. But there are many styles that I’d still love to own if they were still available. Of course, modern reproduction companies like Remix make it mighty easy to have those perfect 40s shoes! I’m still drooling over (and saving my pennies for!) a pair of Rita bow-pumps. One day they’ll be mine (definitely going on my Christmas wishlist. Now just to decide on a color…)! Enjoy this post!
I like the pair at the top right best, which were available in two different heel heights! They don’t really offer that sort of variety very often any more. I dare say I’d opt for the higher ones, even back in 1944–although 2-5/8″ high isn’t terribly tall compared to some of the shoes in my closet! (I tend to be in the 4″ to 5″ range…)
Spectator wedges!!!
I really love the ankle strap sandals (top right)–so cute!
Of course, what shoe post would be complete without stockings? I’m a bit of a hedonist when it comes to wearing stockings and usually ditch them except for occasions that call for it and the coldest months. But I have a few pairs of vintage stockings that a lovely reader sent me last year that I’m dying to break out and wear–once the weather cools down! I rather love how 40s artists idealized the model’s legs in these drawings; mostly because I have muscular calves too! lol.
BORED!? Of course not! I love the stockings, I’ve been trying to get my hands on a pair of actual thigh high stockings for ages and I just can’t find them like that.
What I love about those old shoes — apart from the fact that they’re beautiful and were well made for the most part — is that you can tell they were designed to be WALKED in. They weren’t just decorative torture devices. Great shots!
Dahlink, I’ll never get bored of all of these fantastic images that you’re so generous to share with us all! Loved the link to the store (Shoes, shoes, shoes!!!)*lol* Now I’m really going to be searching hard to find a similar store in the Great White North (aka Canada – tee hee).
Hope you had a fabu weekend!
Those shoes are fabulous! I can’t imagine what it was like during WWII when so many things were rationed.
Lucky you that you have vintage stockings. I’ve often wondered what a pain it would have been, though, to always have to worry about making sure that the back seams were straight.
Last thing…just had to let you know… You inspired me to go catalog hunting, and I now own three 1940′s catalogs! I’m obsessed!
Love these! And you dont even need a ration stamp to get them
The wedges are really cute too. And you can bet these shoes weren’t fall-apart-plastic like so many shoes are now. How lovely!~ And the stockings too!~
They’re wonderful! All those colours!! I’d love a pair of the ankle strap sandals in yellow
The idea of shoe rationing makes me shiver.
I love the very first ones but I love the prices even more LOL
OMG! I think I just died a little! I’m definitely not bored I just hate looking at cute shoes that I have no chance of bying;) But I’m hoping I can buy a pair of Ritas when I’m visiting LA next month -only problem is the color, I’ve narrowed it down to white or red…
I meant “buying” and I just saw they had Rita in yellow!
These pictures are amazing! I’ve also seen amazing a bit retro-like shoes from Pura Lopez (e.g. here: http://bit.ly/cgqmVj).
Thank you for these pictures and the lovely email the other day! I try to answer this week!
Yours, Theresa
Was this a US catalog? I didn’t realize we had to use ration stamps here…
I just looked at those Rita bow pumps. I so want them. Sadly they’re a little out of price range for me. I don’t usually spend more then 70 dollars on a pair of shoes.
Adorable!! I would be quite happy if all of my shoes had bows on them
I love looking at old advertisements, but it also makes me wish what they were advertising was still avaliable to be bought.
Oh well, keep them coming
they are fantabulous! some of those that look orthopaedic are just what my grandma used to wear, and who’d ever have thought that we’d all think ‘STYLISH!’ when we looked at them?
I just found some vintage Schiapparelli stockings, probably not very old in comparison, but they’re so delicate and elegant!
Love the shoes and don’t y’all love the prices. Wow!
Yes, ration stamps were needed for many items in the US. My grandmother tells of trying numerous ways to cook Spam and bologna because that is virtually all the meat you could get sometimes in Los Angeles.
My mom used to paint a line up the back of her leg so she would look like she had stockings on.
My first “hose” were above the knee and worn with a garter belt or the little things that you rolled the hose tops on (I can’t think of the name). Anyway if you got a run in one and had several pair in the same color you didn’t have to throw the whole pair away. And we always had clear nail polish to try to stop runs with.
I love the shoes. I’ve always loved shoes with ankle straps. I’m such a klutz anymore Its not safe for me to wear a heel:)
Oh wow, I love everything about these vintage shoes, especially the sandals!
Oh my god, this is a fantastic post!
The shoes are all completely amazing… Thank you so much for sharing these pictures!
I just love how they’re all so decorative, so feminine, even if they are with low heels, in beige or brown and they were produced during wartime. I just wish I could buy them all…haha
LOVE. THOSE. SHOES! Amazing. Gah! There’s just nothing better than 40s shoes to me. My favorite style is wedgies. You’re right, Remix does such a fantastic job with repros, plus they’re so comfy. (And the guy is such a nice fella.) Sadly I never seem to find any actual vintage wedgies in my size ever! Though your catalog pics are inspiring me to go on the hunt again.