I have been receiving requests for help finding 1930s, 1940s and 1950s vintage boots, especially rain and snow-friendly leather boots with fur trim at the ankle. These are very hard to find but with a keen eye you can find modern rain and snow boots with a timeless look.
Lace up granny boots were the first styles of winter snow boots women wore in the 1900s to 1940s and again in the 1970s and 1980s. When lined in warm wool, fur or shearling the winter boots are toasty warm.
In the 1930s the center zip up boot with a turn down cuff of wool or fur became the trendiest vintage winter snow boot for the 1940s and 1950s too. There were also lace up versions of this cuffed vintage snow boot.
Learn more about vintage boot history from the 1900s to 1960s (with a lot of pictures).
Shop these new vintage winter boots, rain boots and shoes from USA and UK shops:
Vintage Winter Boots
For men’s snow boots, look here.
What did vintage winter boots look like in the…
Some vintage winter boot styles laced up (like granny boots) while others zipped up the center to keep the weather out. The fur cuff could fold up to add extra coverage over the calf. This style of vintage snow boot was common from the 1920s to the 1950s.
When low heel boots became mainstream in the 1960s, the need for overshoes was gone. 60s winter boots were step in rain boot style while 70s winter boots returned to Victorian-era roots with lace-up granny boots.
What kinds of 1920s winter boots should I wear?
For a 1920s winter shoe looks try a lace up granny boot, aka Victorian boot lined in warm fabric, fur or sheepskin. The Russian style pull on boot in another option although not very winter friendly.
I need 1940s winter boots. What should I get?
For the 1940s you could go with a leather lace up boot with shearling or fur cuff. There was also the military style lace up boot with a strap and buckle around the top.
What were trendy 1950s winter boots?
The most iconic 1950s snow boot was a return to the Victorian carriage boot. Step in booties that were lined in fur that tied in laces were very pretty but not very rain proof. A few repro brands are re-making winter snow boots like these known as Arctics.
New winter boots, retro style
Vintage winter boots by decade