A fashion boot or shoe is one that is worn for reasons other than practicality. Practical? Really?
Mary Jane’s
Mary Jane’s is the trademarked name for a closed toe ladies shoe, with a low heel and one or more strap across the top. The Mary Jane originated in the US. Mary Jane was a character in the very popular comic, Buster Brown. Buster Brown was first published in 1902, in which Mary Jane plays the love interest of Buster Brown. Later, the comic book was sold to 200 companies, including the Brown’s Shoe Company, who trademarked the name Mary Jane and Mary Jane wore Mary Jane’s in the comic strip.
Loafers
Loafer’s originated in Norway in 1930. A Norwegian shoe maker called Nils Gregoriusson Tveranger designed a shoe called the Aurland moccasin which were very popular among Europeans and eventually made its way across the Atlantic to America. The design for the shoe was picked up and replicated by a shoemaker in New Hampshire who changed the name to Loafer. The term Loafer is now the generalised term used in America to describe a slip on shoe. The traditional design of the Loafer which has a leather flap across the top was adapted in Maine by a shoemaker who renamed the shoe the Weejun.
Ballet Flat
The Ballet Flat, which is also known as the Dolly Shoe, consists of a soft shoe with minimal sole, sometimes the appearance of no sole. The Ballet flat was originally worn by men in the 16th Century when they were referred to as Pompes. Audrey Hepburn can be given the recognition for bringing the Ballet Flat to life, when she wore a pair of flats with skinny jeans in the movie Funny Face in 1957. The Ballet Flat has been adapted from its original design in order to suit the current trend, the addition of the rubber sole gives the shoe more durability and versatility and can be seen everywhere these days as one of the most popular shoes of this century so far.
Over the Knee
Over the knee boots, which are also known as cuissardes, are boots that partially or fully cover the knee. Over the knee boots can take many forms including thigh high, hip high and waders. Over the knee boots were originally designed for men, to be worn when riding a horse during the 15th Century. It became popular for men to wear tight when riding horseback in the 15th Century and so
they over the knee boot were designed to give their legs extra protection. The term bootlegging was derived in the 17th Century when men used to hide flasks in their thigh high boots. Over the knee boots were adopted by the fashionistas in the 1960’s when Balenciaga revealed an over the knee boot in their fall collection and the following season Yves Saint Laurent had included the item in his.
Knee High
The knee high boot is a highly recognisable item of clothing these days. The boot raises up to just under the knee and tend to be tight to the leg. The origins of the knee high boot date back to fishermen, stable hands, dairy workers etc., they were worn to protect the works feet from water, slurry, manure etc. The original knee high boots were slip on and were often very difficult to remove. Upon entry into the fashion world, the knee high boot was modified for convenience and zips and buckles were added.
Chelsea Boot
The Chelsea boot, also known as the dealer boot, originated in the Victorian Era and was originally worn for horse riding. Chelsea boots were considered an identifiable element of the 1960’s Mod scene, they faded out of fashion soon after that and in recent years have come back in. They are distinguishable by the thick leather sole and the elastic that runs up the side of the boot.
This Guest Post was written by Vicki Power on behalf of Duo Boots. Duo boots offer Ladies Boots in a variety of width options.
This has been a sponsored post
