Edwardian Shoes - Styles for Women

1917 Edwardian Era Boots and Shoe and Stockings

1917 Edwardian era boots, shoes, stockings

The Edwardian era roughly spans 1900-1920. It was the time between the ornate Victorian era and the dazzling Roaring Twenties. Edwardian shoes saw more diversity as the years progressed — no longer were women in boots all day long with a growing choice of lower heel Oxfords, pumps, and even flats.

Between the recent Titanic anniversary and the fan favorite Downton Abbey TV show, there has been a renewed interest in this era, both for reenactors and themed event attendees. As I was browsing for new Edwardian styles shoes for my Edwardian Style Boots and Shoes shop page, I went back to my vintage catalogs to see just what styles of shoes were popular for women.

Here is a sampling of Edwardian boots and shoes that I found:

Edwardian Boots

Just like the Victorian era before, Edwardian women continued to wear lace up or button up tall boots. They usually came to mid-calf or a tad lower and laced up 3/4 to all the way. While primarily made of black or deep brown leather, they could also have inserts of canvas or pretty embroidered fabrics into the shaft. Later styles included two tone boots of black and white/ivory. All white/ivory boots were popular for evening attire. The difference between the beginning and end of the Edwardian years was in the shape of the toe, arch and heel shape. These are details I will get into in a future article.

1906 Women’s Boots, laceup and low heels

The pull-on boot is an early style of the Chelsea boot. It had one or two elastic panels on the sides and pull tabs on the front and back. It was easy to slip on and off, unlike lace or button boots. They were popular as a home or garden boot, as well as for the elderly.

1909 Women’s Half boots. Ideal walking height with a lower heel and pointed toe. They laced half way up and looped the rest.

1913 Women’s Boots. Full button up, half lacing and slip on styles.

1915 Canvas button top boots. Canvas came in brown, black, grey or white.

1918 Women’s boots of leather or canvas. Many are taller in the front to cover legs from the rising hemline.

1918 Fancy boots. More color combinations and patterns. Love the black and white boots!

1919 tall boots for all dressy afternoon occasions.

1919 Tall boots were still in style as the roaring twenties began.

Edwardian Shoes: Oxfords

Besides boots, the Oxford shoe was an Edwardian shoe era favorite. It featured a moderate heel that laced up the vamp. Most had a toe cap that was a bit taller on the ball so toes had room to wiggle. Oxfords were usually worn as a house or walking shoe with an informal suit or skirt and blouse. A very low heel Oxford with (or usually without) laces was a working woman’s shoe. It was the most comfortable and easiest to clean shoe of the group.

1909 Oxfords, slippers and boots

1913 Women’s Oxfords

1916 womens hsoes Edwardian oxford shoes womens

1916 Women’s oxford shoes (and slippers.)

1916 working woman's shoes Edwardian era

1916 Women’s working oxford shoes- lower heel and a smooth body

Edwardian Shoes: Slippers and Pumps

Edwardian slippers were not just for bedrooms. They were evening shoes for dinner, dancing and weddings. The most common style was the Mary Jane with a single strap across the vamp that ended with a button made of pearl, plastic, bone, mother of pearl, metal or crystal. Some slippers featured multiple straps or a single wide button on flap across the vamp. These were often heavily beaded for evening wear. Another style was the “colonial” slipper with a large tongue and buckle that mimicked the style of 18th century shoes.

real Edwardainw omen's shoes, colonial style

Edwardian colonial style pumps

A simple fancy shoe was the classic pump. Without a strap or lacing they were only worn for standing occasions. They did not do well for dancing or extended walking although I am sure some women did so just fine.

Just like today’s pumps, they were slip-in style with toe decorations. A pom pom, shoe clip, buckle or other sparkling ornament on the top added something special to the shoe, transforming it from day to night.

1906 Summer flats- low heel slipper and Mary Jane

1909 Slippers- Single and double strap Mary Jane

1913 Women’s slippers in the colonial style (center) and boot flap (top and bottom left). White pump (lower right)

1918 Women’s slippers with multiple straps that are beaded. Slip on pumps with pom pom ornament (top) or plain (middle row)

1918 slippers and pumps

Edwardian Bedroom Shoes

Slippers also were named for bedroom shoes. Warm and cozy, they came in the colonial, opera, or pump style with a lining of fur, felted wool, or quilted cotton. Many came with a puffy pom pom on top of the the vamp. Other had embroidered designs on the vamp or all over. I wish my bedroom slippers were as pretty as these!