Dating Pirelli rubber soled rope tie sandals with towelled lining

[Pinkcoke]

I've seen Pirelli soles on lots of shoes from the 70's onwards but these look far earlier to me, the most similar designs I can find advertised are from 1939 but with a covered heel, or toe. So I'm thinking these must be later to account for the lack of uppers, I don't *think* they're later than 1950's or so due to the shape.
However after all that they have the UK & EU size moulded into the side of the sole- I've not really held any vintage shoes pre-1970's that included both of these sizes so am wary this might mean they are much later.
So, throwing this right out there; any ideas on age?

 

[Jonathan]

The very round toes and pebbled finish are typical of the late 40s - early 50s and there was a fashion for Roman looking sandals for beachwear, at the time. The Bohemians and Beats wore them a lot in the early 50s off the beach. I would say c. 1950

 

[Pinkcoke]

Thanks Jonathan, just checking are you referring to the soles when you say pebbled finish?

 

[Jonathan]

yes

 

[Sky Ranch Vintage]

So cute. What size are they?

 

[Pinkcoke]

sole reads 4 36 but red lining is 3x9"

 

[joules]

Not quite the same, but a cute 1947 cartoon, with beach sandals:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/76982768@N00/6909097082/

 

[Sky Ranch Vintage]

Cute cartoon!

 

[Pinkcoke]

Great fun! Thanks for sharing. I have a pair that look like that too, in lilac alligator, but which date from 1941 (from the lady's daughter).

The guy reminds me of the old TinTin.

 

[Lindy68]

I've seen Pirelli soles on lots of shoes from the 70's onwards but these look far earlier to me, the most similar designs I can find advertised are from 1939 but with a covered heel, or toe. So I'm thinking these must be later to account for the lack of uppers, I don't *think* they're later than 1950's or so due to the shape.
However after all that they have the UK & EU size moulded into the side of the sole- I've not really held any vintage shoes pre-1970's that included both of these sizes so am wary this might mean they are much later.
So, throwing this right out there; any ideas on age?

Hi - These rope sandals were worn in 1958/59 I had a pair myself as did all my friends.

 

[Pinkcoke]

They made almost anything connected with rubber. I believe it is the same company, whether or not they actually made the shoes I don't know. They could have had them made for them by a shoe factory. I see a lot of Pirelli slippers with rubber soles from the 60's/70's and I just did a search you can still buy Pirelli trainers today!