Help with Shoes/Heels.....

[gaildavid]

I really could use some help with this lovely pair of gabardine shoes from the 40's, I believe. There is an inside tag/sticker which reads "No 2400 Gabardine...14% Wool...55% Rayon...31% Cotton...Williams Mfg Co" and the sole is marked "Fashioned for Fit....Natural Oak Sole...Steel Arch". What would be the best keywords?

They are a lovely navy blue and feature small holes along the inside top which reminds me of eyelet lace. Is there a name for this?

The toe is not open but has that "look" with a navy section in the middle. Do I call it a mock open toe?

And, lastly, how do I measure these? There is no size anywhere :sniff: I have measured from the sole 1) side to side at widest 2) side to side at narrowist 3) side to side toe. I have also measured from the inside 1) heel to toe 2) side to side at middle and 3) side to side at heel. Are there any other measurments I should take? And is there a chart that I should use to try to convert them to an actual size?

Thanks for your patience with all my questions.....

Gail

 

[Jonathan]

These are probably wartime 40s. They are a variation of a high heeled oxford. The perforations are obviously intended to help ventilate the feet, so they would be brogues too, but brogues are usually a little more perforated than what your pair has. I would call them eye-holes. I would call the toe a false open toe -- that's a good name for it, or a leather peep toe is another way of saying it. Peep toes are very fashionable throughout the war, so that fits.

I measure the inside length of the sole from the toe to the heel, and the outside of the sole at the widest part of the ball of the sole to get the most accurate measurements for the foot.

I would entitle the auction 'WW2 high heeled navy gabardine oxfords' but I tend to list things a little too clinically. If you want something sexier for ideas someone will come along. However, definately mention all the words in the listing.

 

[gaildavid]

Thank you so much, Jonathan.

Gail