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Vintage Dancer | 1930s Fashion History | 1930s Men’s Shoe Styles, Art Deco Era Footwear

1930s Men’s Shoe Styles, Art Deco Era Footwear

1920s Fashion History· 1930s Fashion History· Mens Fashions History

10 Mar 2011

For work and office, the Oxford was still the only men’s 1930s shoe — however, it became much fancier in the 1930s. Small perforated holes called broguing appeared on the shoes. In the beginning, some featured a design just on the toe, while others were just around the edging. By the mid 1930s, however, broguing was all over the body.

1934 men's shoe styles 1930s

1934 men’s shoe styles

These tiny holes allowed air to flow through, keeping men’s feet nice and cool in the summer. White brogued shoes were especially popular in summer, and two-tone shoes increased in popularity in both summer and winter for sport and dress.

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1932 men square toe and almond dress shoes

1932 men’s square toe and almond dress shoes

The shape of the toe changed over the years. In the early ’30s, the square toe Oxford was classy. Both solid colors (brown and black) as well as two-tone brown/cream and black/cream combinations were offered for sale. Men wore them with their business suits and casual attire equally.

1934 mens dress shoes - Wingtips, monk strap, moccasin styles

1934 men’s dress shoes – Wingtips, monk strap, moccasin styles

The almond toe replaced the square toe around 1933. It contrasted with the very wide men’s trousers. One shoe, called a moccasin-top dress shoe, kept a round blunt nose shape throughout the decade. It was sometimes seen as a sportier or more casual shoe than the fancy wingtips and cap toe Oxfords.

1935 mens mostly white shoes

1935 men’s white shoes, two tone oxfords, black and brown dress shoes

 

The most casual shoes were two-tone brown/white saddles shoes. They were usually worn to play sports or with casual clothing. The “saddle” was a center patch of a dark color over a white shoe body. Other two-tone combinations emerged in the later years such as dark brown on saddle brown or black on blue. The crepe sole was also a popular alternative to plain rubber soles. Read more about the history of saddle shoes here.

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1938 men's brown and white saddle shoes
1938 brown and white saddle shoes
1930s Saddle shoes with a crepe sole
Saddle shoes with a crepe sole

Two-tone 1930s men’s shoes came in other styles and colors. Grey and black was on trend in the fall and winter. Blue and white and even green and white were novelty summer shoes that didn’t stay in fashion for too long. The difference between two-tone shoes in the 1930s compared to the ’20s, ’40s, and ’50s was the amount of white. 1930s men’s shoes favored a heavy dose of white pattern blocking with minimal darker wingtips, saddles, and edging.

1932 two tone sport shoes
1937 mens summer shoes wingtip oxfords two tone spectators
1937 mens summer shoes wingtip oxfords two tone spectators

All-white shoes were also more popular in the 1930s than in any other decade. When paired with white or grey linen summer suits especially, they looked clean and expensive. These shoes required daily cleaning and polishing to keep them spotless. Most white shoes had brown soles. Wingtips, cap toes, brogue, moccasin, and “Trouser crease” designs all came in white. In winter, they were replaced with solid black or brown.

1930s men's summer white shoes

1930s men’s summer white shoes

Brogue and wingtip Oxfords are the easiest shoes to find today, and the most vintage in style for your ’30s wardrobe. Shop here for some great ’30s men’s shoes.

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Vintage style men's shoes, wingtips and two-tone oxfords

Vintage style two-tone men’s shoes

Article Outline

  • 1930s Men’s Summer Shoes
    • More 1930s Boots and Shoes
    • Shop 1930s style men’s shoes

1930s Men’s Summer Shoes

In the 1930s, casual men’s shoes were introduced. The moccasin or loafer shoe for cool weather and the leather sandal for summertime became fashionable. Two-toned patterns of brown and white or black and white moved from the stiff Oxford and brogue to the more casual sports shoes.

1938 men's summer sandals shoes 1930s

1938 men’s sandals

Sandals in leather such as the fisherman style or cross strap sandal had heels and a thin sole. They could also be made of canvas for a crepe rubber sole which resisted the hot sand better than leather soles. A popular summer sandal shoe was an espadrille made of colorful canvas (often striped) with cord or rope ties and rope lined soles.

1930s mens sandals - Man wearing espadrille shoes

Man wearing espadrille shoes

There were also air conditioned lace up shoes with cutout vents along the toe box and sides. Small all over holes were also used to create summer friendly shoes in nubuck.

1930s mens summer shoes1937 "air conditioned" shoes

1937 “air conditioned” shoes

Rubber soled shoes, such as Keds, were worn in the 1930s as well. These casual shoes had a sporty look with a comfortable feel. Keds came in all sorts of solid and two tone color combinations in suede or canvas materials. The crepe sole added more bounce in the step. Amazingly, 1930s Keds don’t look much different than men’s classic Keds shoes today, with the exception of a thicker sole.

Another sport shoe for actually playing sports like Basketball or football was the high top sneaker. “Skips” were a cheaper brand of the original Converse Hi-Top that came in all white. 1930s high tops came in brown leather, black leather, two tones, and white. Low top canvas or leather sneakers were a less popular but an available option for sports like tennis or summer days at the beach.

1930s sneakers 1937 high top and low top canvas sport shoes

1937 high top and low top canvas sport shoes

More 1930s Boots and Shoes

Learn more about men’s winter boots, snow boots, and rain shoes here.

For workwear boots and shoes read this article.

Men’s slippers styles here. 

Shop 1930s style men’s shoes

1930s Men’s Shoe Styles, Art Deco Era Footwear Ferro Aldo Arthur MFA139001D Mens Wingtip Two Tone Oxford Black and White Spectator Dress Shoes  AT vintagedancer.com
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1930s Men’s Shoe Styles, Art Deco Era Footwear Stacy Adams MADISON 00012 Mens White Oxford 8 D $119.95 AT vintagedancer.com
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1930s Men’s Shoe Styles, Art Deco Era Footwear     Metrocharm MC309 Mens Lace Up Wing Tip Fashion Casual Oxford Boot $24.99 AT vintagedancer.com
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1930s Men’s Shoe Styles, Art Deco Era Footwear Jackson Oxford $325.00 AT vintagedancer.com
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1930s Men’s Shoe Styles, Art Deco Era Footwear Ferro Aldo Arthur MFA139001D Mens Wingtip Two Tone Oxford Black and White Spectator Dress Shoes  AT vintagedancer.com
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debbie
We are Debbie and Oscar, your guides to dressing up like decades past. We are here to help you find clothing online and learn about vintage fashions as worn by everyday people, just like you. Need help with your outfit? Ask us anytime.
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