Portland Shoes - Help Dating Please :-)

awaywiffairies

awaywiffairies

Registered Guest
Hi everyone!

I picked these up recently and sadly they're a tad too big for me, but I was :scratchchin: over the date.

First off I thought they were 1960s but I know via Jonathan that the leather cowhide symbol was around late 70s, so that confused me somewhat. I know Portland have been around since 1946 (done my research!) so quite a few decades to decide on really though I know they're not 40s, nor probably 50s, but they do look 60s don't they? ?

Oh I do get confused.....:help: (I've got my 2nd vintage fair on Sunday...the biggie...London...gulp and wanna know where I am with these!).

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Sarah
 
Just wanted to say LOVELY shoes and I wish you the best of luck for the fair on Sunday. These shoes look to be in immaculate condition. So much so that I'm thinking they're quite modern with a vintage styling. You've obviously done your research though so I hope someone with a good knowledge of shoes will help you out with this.

Please do your best and get some photos of your stall at the fair? It will be great to see those next week. Who's going with you?

Good luck Sarah! :sunshine:
 
how big are those shoes? I'd be happy to take them off your hands! :)
My geuss is late 1950's maybe? I'm not the best shoe person but that's the vibe I get from them.
 
These are possibly dance shoes, made for the professional or serious amateur. I have come across modern dance shoes that look much older, the styles just dont change very much. They are designed for comfort.

Makes for much difficulty in dating, but I would think a good bit newer than 50s with that leather emblem.
 
Wow this is confusing. I was gonna say that I'm a size 4 but these are just a tad too big so guess 4 1/2 and that's the size on the sole of the foot... 4 1/2. Are vintage shoe sizes similar to clothes sizes i.e. vintage sizes are much smaller then current, if so then these shoes are newer. As far as immaculate, they're not, they havce there nicks and scratches etc so the camera was being kind.

These shoes have really thrown me tho...the cowhide symbol but then the oldish description 'Patent Coated Leather' but maybe dance shoes are like that.

So, maybe dance shoes huh..never thought of that one...any more thoughts?

Louise...going to the fair with my partner as I did the last one, though this time I'll ask him to smile a little more as he looked more like a stern bouncer then my partner lol.

Sarah
 
those do like the type of heels you see on low heeled walking shoes from the mid 1950s but they really are strange looking shoes. My first inclination was late 60s - doing a 20s revival, but I suspect they are old lady shoes (low heel, wide fit) and that is why stylistically they are bit all over the place. They really might be from the late 70s or early 80s and just intended for a Queen mother type of wearer...
 
Hmmm, Queen Mother type wearer...may not go with that sales pitch but know what you mean! They are odd shoes and rather strange. It's also strange the old terminology used 'Patent Coated Leather' or does that also crop up in the 70s and 80s? They're quite sweet really, I would have been chuffed if my nanny had worn these lol!

Louise....ahhh yes, didn't think of using my partner as a prop / model, hmmm very tempting lol!

Sarah
 
Originally posted by awaywiffairies
Hmmm, Queen Mother type wearer...may not go with that sales pitch but know what you mean!

Sarah
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hehehe! OMG! Do not mention 'Queen Mother stylie' to anyone! lol Unless you don't want to get any sales!

These are really cute little shoes I think. Perhaps not as old as they are trying to be but they'll look really sweet with the right dress and they look good quality and in really great condition. Air on the side of caution and go for 80's. :)
 
I see old lady/Queen Mum also. Maybe they were custom made? They look really wide all around, vs being tapered in the sides and heel cup, which would fit a person who had puffy feet or other orthopedic problems. The design on the sole looks 60's to me, but could be 70's, too, since specialty shoes like this for older folks didn't update their insole designs to keep with the times.

So, what Jonathan said plus my own input.

Janine
 
Yup, they look a bit the style of shoes that my grandma could have worn....

It's the dilemma I encounter at every other charity secondhand-shop here, I see shoes and I wonder, if they're really old shoes (as in 40s / 50s), or if they are the kind of "old lady" shoes that never seem to change styles. To make the confusion complete, one of those shops recently had the "real deal" - as in 40s/50s old stock (but only in the tiniest sizes...), but rather conservative in styling, and newer unused stock of what definitely would be considered as "old lady shoes". But I guess they could easily have been 20-30 years old already.
Dance shoes is a good idea too - I looked at a webshop for dance shoes recently, and some of the styles with lower heels looked rather "old fashioned" too.

Karin
 
when selling them I would give them a Jazzy label like "Retro does Vintage" or "Retro does mid centry" so that way the dates are more open, then explain upon inquirery.
 
I agree: I think they're for an older lady, but I date them as '70s. Although old lady shoes tend to be conservative, T-bars don't come into style very often, that and the heel would put them into the '70s for me. Great condition!

I like them and I'd wear them too, but I take a (UK) 5.

Nicole
 
Thankyou everyone for the feedback. I was selling at a London vintage fair yest, so have only logged on today (I'm exhausted!). I think the shoes are quite cute but I will not mention old lady style lol. I like em cos of the T Bar and retro look and Portland have been around since 1946 so reputable company.

They're a tad big for me otherwise I might have kept them myself.

Sarah
 
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