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Vintage Dancer | 1920s Fashion | Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s

Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s

1920s Fashion History· 1930s Fashion History

2 Mar 2011

Unlike previous decades where shoes were hidden underneath layers of petticoats and floor-length dresses and barely see, women’s shoes and stockings of the 1920s and 1930s were all about showing off the legs! Art Deco era shoes were taller, colorful, and festive in their decorations. Cuban heels grew taller and toes were rounded to make the feet look more petite. The use of checkered leather designs and applique were popular trims. In the early ’20s, women were still mourning over their losses during WWI. As such, black was the primary mourning color. Fashion made its footprint by combining black with grey tones on the shoe and thus put some style into traditional life.

Early 20s shoes, 1922

1920s T-Strap Shoes

1920s shoes for women

1920’s T-strap Shoes with Button Close

The biggest fashionable shoe style of the 1920s was the T-strap or the T-bar heeled pump. The side strap closed at one side with a button or (sometimes) two. Straps with a lot of decoration and two button closures were called  “Fasenettas.” Beads and glass paste gems (similar to rhinestones) were all the rage for decorations. Even beaded fringe became necessary to match the elaborate beading on 1920s formal gowns. Other popular options were to make insects and butterflies out of glass beads or colored gauze and place them on the vamp. Heel height was a moderate 2 to 3 inches during the flapper phase.

When just decorating with color became dull, women began to wear colorful hand painted gold, red, and orange pumps. Often, these came with hand painted ‘oriental’ themes which were wildly popular during the Art Deco movement.

1928 heels, art deco influence the designs

1928 heels, Art Deco influenced designs

The flapper movement really embraced bold colors and matching shoes to one’s dresses, stockings, and decoration. If a woman couldn’t dye a pair of shoes to match her dress, she just re-covered them in her same dress material. She could also hand paint her shoes. The T-strap was still the most popular style even for flappers. Despite the fact that some art paintings show women in high heeled open toe sandals, these were NOT worn in the ’20s. They would not have been safe for dancing in, nor were they fashionable even to the liberated flapper girl.

Flappers wearing T straps and pumps

Flappers wearing T-straps and pumps

t strap flapper shoes

T Straps with Ankle Strap

Other similar styles of 1920s shoes were the Mary Jane which consisted of a single strap across the foot that either buckled or buttoned in place. The basic pump without straps was common although less so then strappier versions. Some pumps also had an ankle strap to hold the shoe on better. Finally, some Art Deco shoes had several straps, 2 or 3, placed across the foot horizontally or in a criss-cross pattern.

Shop 1920s Style T-strap, Oxford, and Mary Jane Shoes.

Make Your Own 1920s Shoes

Start with a white pair of T-strap leather pumps and apply your favorite bright colored shoe polish. Accent the strap and heel with gold or silver fabric paint (a paint pen works great) or stick on rhinestones. You can also use a paint pen to draw zigzags, wings, or other Art Deco images across the shoe.  Presto! You have your own unique pair of 1920s shoes.

These shoes are Astorias from American Duchess, where I just used rhinestone stickers to add some sparkle. Recollections at Michael’s craft stores make a great assortment of stick-on appliques for scrap books that work great as temporary decorations on shoes.1920's shoes for women

1920s Oxfords for Women

1928 oxfords shoes (at spats/gaiters too!)

1928 Oxford shoes (and spats/gaiters too!)

Besides pumps, the staple shoes were low heeled Oxfords. These shoes, which looked like men’s dress shoes, were comfortable yet classy. They tied up with string laces and came in basic earthy colors.

The stock market crash of 1929 caused a crash in flamboyant shoe fashion as well.  High heeled T-strap shoes and string tie Oxfords were still popular, but the decorations and the colors became much more minimal. Sleek and simple was in. Flashy was out. Colors were more subtle and muted like evergreen, navy, brown and black for daytime wear.  They typically matched or at least didn’t clash with a lady’s outfit.  For evening, matching colors and fabrics were a must. Silk, satin, and velvet were the predominant shoe and dress materials of the ’20s.  Accents of silver or gold piping added minimal decoration to plain shoes.

Read more about 1920s women’s shoes.

1930s Women’s Shoes

The one shoe style I usually associate with the 1930s is not the style itself, but the decoration technique. Cut-out, cutaway, and punch-outs are all terms used to describe small perforated decorative holes in the shoe body or accent material.  Cutouts could be used on Oxfords, pumps, heels, and any other shoes.

1930s oxford shoes heels

1930s Oxford shoes

Every ’30s women had to have a white and “whatever color was your favorite” two-tone shoe. The two-toned color combination was seen on both casual and evening wear styles. Men, too, embraced the striking patterns of two-toned shoes and together women and men walked into the 1940s with style. Read more about women’s 1930s shoes here.

1937 white sandal heels

1937 white sandal heels

Although there was great concern for the health of women’s feet during the mid 1930s, the desire for more freedom in footwear was greater. Open toe, peep toe, and sandals with criss-cross slingback heel straps were a welcome daytime choice. The late ’30s also brought about clunky cork wedge heels (also known as “spool heels”) and platform shoes. Read more about these and other 1940s Style Shoes here.

Shop 1930s Style shoes:

Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Journee Collection Womens Talie T-Strap Pumps 8 Medium White $37.49 AT vintagedancer.com
JCPenny
$37.49
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Tonight Were Twirling T-Strap Heel in- Vintage Inspired $44.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Modcloth
$44.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Capezio Jr. Footlight Character Black Womens Tap Shoes $34.27 AT vintagedancer.com
Zapposcom
$34.27
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Cobb Hill Cobb Hill Angelina Black Womens Maryjane Shoes $119.95 AT vintagedancer.com
Zapposcom
$119.95
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Earth Marietta Stellar Black Eco Calf Womens  Shoes $54.75 AT vintagedancer.com
Zapposcom
$54.75
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Ollio Womens Flat Shoe Wingtip Lace Up Two Tone Oxford $29.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$29.99
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Bettie Page Black  Ivory Leatherette Patricia Oxford Heels $82.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$82.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s B.a.i.t. Tan Leatherette Rosie Oxford Heel $74.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$74.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Jane - Mary Janes $130.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Juliabo
$130.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Chase & Chloe Kimmy-21 Womens Round Toe Pierced Mid Heel Mary Jane Style Dress Pumps $40.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$40.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Ajvani Womens mid Low Block Heel lace up Comfort Rubber Sole Brogue Ankle Shoe Boots Booties Size £19.99 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£19.99
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Ella - Mary Janes $155.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Juliabo
$155.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Odema Womens PU Leather Oxfords Brogue Wingtip Lace up Chunky High Heel Shoes Dress Pumps Oxfords $29.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$29.99
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Morgan - Oxford Pumps $145.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Juliabo
$145.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Red Wing Heritage Silversmith Black Boundary Womens Lace-up Boots $340.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Zapposcom
$340.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Frontline Steal Dance - swing dance shoes $171.02 AT vintagedancer.com
Etsy
$171.02
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s A Talent for Toe Tappin Oxford Heel in- Vintage Inspired by Chelsea Crew from ModCloth $69.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Modcloth
$69.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Camper Right Nina - K400194 Black 1 Womens Shoes $170.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Zapposcom
$170.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Van Eli Fabra Womens White Pump 5.5 M $119.95 AT vintagedancer.com
Shoemallcom
$119.95
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Van Eli Fabra Womens Black Pump 5.5 M $119.95 AT vintagedancer.com
Shoemallcom
$119.95
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Capezio Womens 657 Manhattan Xtreme Tap Shoe $82.95 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$82.95
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s    GREEN/ white Classic Leather Saddle Shoes most womens sizes 5-12 $89.00 AT vintagedancer.com
EbayUS
$89.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Darcy Heels - Navy Multi Standard Fit 11 $139.00 AT vintagedancer.com
HotterShoesUS
$139.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Armada - Womens Fall Boots Lace-up Leather Boots Oxford Boots Green Boots Leather Ankle Boots Custom boots FREE customization!!! $144.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Etsy
$144.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Rockport Cobb Hill Collection Angelina 1 Womens Black Pump 7.5 W $119.95 AT vintagedancer.com
Shoemallcom
$119.95
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Stoker - Saddle Shoes $112.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Juliabo
$112.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Retro Style Black Pleather Cutout Kimmy T-Strap Heels $44.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$44.00
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Brinley Co Womens Sonja Pump $26.71 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$26.71
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Eastland Womens Sadie Oxford £48.05 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£48.05
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Journee Collection Womens Olina Pumps 8 12 Medium Black $48.75 AT vintagedancer.com
JCPenny
$48.75
Art Deco Shoes Styles of the 1920s and 1930s Bella Vita Posie II Womens Gold Pump 7 W $99.95 AT vintagedancer.com
Shoemallcom
$99.95
ViewMore

Also, see 1920’s Women’s Clothes and 1930’s Women’s Clothing for vintage-inspired dresses.

 

 

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.
« Dress Like Mad Men’s Don Draper | 1960s Fashion
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Trackbacks

  1. 1930s Fashion History for Fabulous Feminine Style « Sammy Davis Vintage says:
    October 11, 2012 at 9:06 am

    […] style oxfords were designed with taller heels and according to Vintage Dancer’s guide to 1930s and 1920s shoes, were more colorful and decorative than similar versions from previous […]

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