fashion

I get asked a lot about where to find vintage-styles shoes when you’re on a budget. Believe me, I can sympathize with this plight! Although I love and adore reproduction brands like Remix (Aris Allen is another, though those are dance shoes and soled accordingly), they rarely fit into my shoe budget. So I’ve learned a few tricks along the way to unearth pieces that look vintage, but aren’t expensive. Note: this is not a post about specifically where you can find shoes that fit the vintage aesthetic, but rather on training your eye to find vintage-compatible footwear.

I say this to everyone who has ever asked me about “how do I find [insert garment here] that looks vintage?”: educate your eye. Even if you shop at a “vintage” themed store, you need to understand trends, silhouettes, popular styles of the era you’re looking to emulate. For me, this has involved lots of reading over the years as well as looking at fashion plates, vintage magazines and photographs of people sporting everyday fashions. I have a fairly good handle, if I do say so, of silhouette variations from the 1910s through the late 60s, as well as construction details that are appropriate to the era. It’s all because I studied. Boring (not really), but will save you a lot of time and money in the long run if you’re serious about integrating a vintage look into your daily wardrobe.

Once you have the silhouette down (for in the case shoes), it’s going to take some sleuthing on your part. Until there is a manufacturer that produces lower-priced vintage reproduction shoes (though I do like the quality of the high-end ones; they last for years), you’ll have to learn to pounce when you see something. Right now there is a heavy 70s influence in the fashion footwear world, and the 70s saw a revival of the 40s platform. So knowing this, you can keep an eye out for 70s-does-40s style platforms (I’ve seen more than a few that would skew to either decade). The 60s is also experiencing a continued comeback, and kitten heel shoes are showing back up in the stores (but didn’t we just do this trend at the beginning of the last decade???). Sweet, pointed toe pumps with dimunitive heels have been popular. So another trend to jump on if the early 60s look is your thing. For the 50s, the classic pump with a round or almond toe, moderate heel (both in height and width) and leather never goes out of style. A stiletto also works for later 50s looks, although be mindful of the heel height and whether there is a platform under the toe area; a super high heel and chunky platform are wrong for the 50s.

  

examples of vintage-inspired outfits paired with modern footwear.

Realize I’m saying all this from an authenticity standpoint. Don’t feel like you have to have your shoes perfectly matched to the era of your outfit? Great (me too)!!! In which case your options open up quite a bit. While I wouldn’t advocate pairing a super-modern, studded wedge bootie with your chiffon 20s dress, I find that contemporary shoes with a more femenine flair work beautifully with vintage styles. I love shoes from all eras, and especially have a weakness for modern platforms, so knowing how to choose classic, feminine styles has proved useful when blending my footwear with my closet.

If, in case you’re wondering what some of my favorite places or brands for vintage-inspired (or vintage-compatible) footwear, here’s a few to keep an eye out for. Not all are completely “budget priced”, but keeping an eye out for sales or hunting your local department store discount shop is worth it! Many are “trend” brands as well, so it’s worth noting what “vintage trend” is in each season and hunting accordingly. (Please note I am in no way affiliated with any of these companies or totally advocate the quality–they’re just ones I’ve found as good options for me.)

• Forever 21
• Seychelles
• Madden Girl
• Modcloth
• DSW

I’d love to know: what is your favorite budget-friendly shoe brand?

January 16, 2012 · 39 lovely thoughts
posted in inspiration · tags: fashion