A Shoe question - Vinyl sock?

pastperfect2

pastperfect2

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I have a pair of ladies two tone oxfords. Cream and taupe. I though they were 1940s at first, but they have a vinyl sock. I assume this means 50s. The heel has squarish edges, not round like a Cuban.

When did Vinyl socks start going in shoes?

Hollis

40stwotoneshoes.jpg
 
interesting - they don't 'feel' 60s, if you know what I mean. They have much slimmer, shapelier fit than I remember the 60s shoes having.

Hollis
 
Vinyl is one of those materials like Rayon that has historical roots but a more recent application. I think it was invented in the 19th century but the first time it was put to any practical use was during WW2 due to shortages in other materials like leather. It was certainly in common use by 1950. The squared edges of your heels I found advertised in c. 1950 in a FLorshiem advert in Vogue. Because of the colour detailing on the toes it suggests to me that these are a step above just ordinary granny shoes that were made virtually unchanged into the late 1960s but they were usually black, white or brown and the later ones usually have cushioned insoles and neoprene soles. I would guess these are c. 1950 when Granny shoes still have a bit of style to them, the heel is fashionable for then and vinyl would be a relatively new commercial product, so it all fits in.
 
Thank you! That makes sense. The detailing is nice, and as you say, a bit fashionable for general Granny wear.

It's nice to have a date for that style heel - I do see it occasionally and wondered where it fit in the chronology.

I always think of these type shoes as being worn with longer length tailored linen dresses in the summer or with light colored suits. And a hat and gloves, of course.

I would wear these if they weren't a 6A!

Hollis
 
l would kinda think more 60's actually, the coloured applique across the front is so mid to late 60s and even into the early 70s...actor Peter Wyngarde in Dept S (still showing on sky!!) wore those as he was a dapper dresser, pinstripe suits, wide ties, not unlike the footballers dress of today!!
 
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