Toasty Winter Vintage Feet
Fashion & Beauty

Toasty Winter Vintage Feet

Seeing as “they” are predicting Snow this weekend it’s time for an emergency reassessment of the footwear situation.

You have a nice smart coat, a hat or two and a selection of gloves to complete your vintage winter ensemble. But what about your poor chilly tootsies? Your sensible Autumn footwear will see you through a lot of the winter, especially if you have room for a pair of toasty fleece insoles, but for REALLY cold days it’s nice to have some boots in reserve.

If you prefer a lady like or vintage look then choosing winter boots can be a tricky balance of budget and style. Depending on how authentic you want to be your best bet is probably just to look for less clunky “delicate” boot with a low heel or wedge and a rounded or almond toe that won’t look out of place with a skirt or smart coat.

These pictures (found on the Fedora Lounge) are 40s and 50s catalogue or advert scans. As you can see original 40s and 50s winter footwear seems to be generally along these lines, lace up or zipped ankle boots, possibly with a fur lining.

Boots are one of those things it’s tricky to get on a low budget (I know, I spent a day last September nearly in tears as I couldn’t find anything on the High Street), but I’ve done my best to find you some boots to suit all budgets and styles that won’t look out of place with a vintage ensemble.

Fur Lined Fancies

Miss L-Fire Ellison Sheepskin Heeled Ankle Boots – £110 ASOS

Gorgeous little leather boots with a fur collar and practical stacked heel. These look so cosy!

KOALA LACE UP BROWN LEATHER – £98 Office

Available in black and brown with a sensible stacked heel and a higher lace up.

Fold Down Lace Boot – £29.99 New Look

In “leather look” so should be suitable for those who don’t wear leather shoes, they’re a little chunkier, but look like they’ve got some good grip on the soles for slippy pavements!

Lady Like Lace Ups

Shellys Montgomery Lace Up Suede Heeled Ankle Boot – £75 ASOS

Suede isn’t always the most practical winter fabric, but in black, properly protected I think it’s probably fine for normal days without torrential downpours.

ALPINE Block Heel Brogue Ankle Boots – £45 ASOS

These are patent finish PU boots, so again, maybe suitable for the non leather wearers. The dark red also makes a change from brown and black.

Red Level Radio – £32 Brantano

The most bargainous pair of boots I could find and the shape looks like a dead ringer for some in the vintage scans. These are also non leather, and although they look like lace ups they actually fasten with a zip, making them far less faff to get on and off than they look.

Functional Flats

KORR LACE UP BROWN LEATHER – £95 Office

Mostly I can manage with a small heel even in snow, but if you prefer a sensible flat then these are toasty sheepskin lined in sturdy leather. Also available in black.

Dartmoor Boot – £80 Draper of Glastonbury

Very much like the zip up booties in the 1950s catalogue scan above. Fleece lined and toasty with a non slip rubber sole.

Kimono Collar Lace Ankle Boots – £64.99 Schuh

A nice classic lace up boot. Also available in Black.

Final thoughts….

There are many things I completely fail to understand why we, as a society, stopped using over the years. Refillable make up containers, plastic rain hats and setting lotion just to name a few in the women’s grooming category. I really, really have to add over shoes to this list.

These have hollow heels so they fit over your regular shoes for rainy and snowy days, and on arrival you just take them off, saves carrying extra pairs of shoes around with you, fabulous!

Searching eBay for galoshes brings up a few vintage pairs, but I don’t know anywhere you can buy modern versions.

For a modern alternative when you need your shoes waterproof I like the Vivienne Westwood Melissa flat ankle boots on eBay or from Sarenza.

Finally, if you’re really on the hunt for a bargain then try searching eBay for terms like “granny boots”, but prepare to be patient to grab a bargain.

10 Comments

  • Cath November 23, 2010

    I’m very pleased that heeled shearling style boots are in the (reasonably priced) shops this year! As a matter of fact I have browsed those very Office and New Look boots myself!

    I don’t know if you’ve seen these but for those who like 60s/70s style calf-length boots and want to update their look, but can’t afford new ones- Next and accessorise sell boot ‘cuffs’ of fake fur or knitted patterns. They slot onto the top of the boot and are held in place by a length of elastic ‘sock’ that goes under the boot round your leg.

  • Leanne November 23, 2010

    The New Look boots have to be my favourite from this collection and so affordable too!

  • Lady Cherry November 23, 2010

    I do hate this dilemma. The problem is because we live in a village, they never get around to throwing the salt about the place until it’s practically melted and we’ve been navigating through a death trap for days. Well I admit *death trap* is a bit over the top! So, heels are totally out. I have got really ugly walking boots. Some fur lined non-Uggs would be fab!

  • kerry November 23, 2010

    oooo I love the first pair but £110?? that is a major charity shop spending spree!!!! I couldn’t justify spending that on one pair of boots..but they are gorgeous indeed x

    • Retro Chick November 25, 2010

      Yes, I tried to include something for all budgets!

      Problem with Boots is I find good ones are actually really hard to find cheap!

      My personal favourites are the Office Shearling ones and the Shelleys suede lace ups!

  • LandGirl1980 November 23, 2010

    Grrr. Why are all the ones I like waaaay out of budget. *sigh* Wellies it is. I shall be purchasing some cosy inner soles for my brogues.

  • Laura Connell November 23, 2010

    Although they are out of my price range, I am most in love with the Burberry shearling ankle boot. I want them!

  • Fashion Limbo November 24, 2010

    cute shoes! adore the Westwood ones, and the first ones by ASOS are too pretty. Funny the overshoes, had never seen/heard anything like that before 🙂 it’s a great idea for this sort of weather.

  • Rosie Alia November 26, 2010

    Hi Retrochick! I absolutely love the first pair by Miss L Fire, oh if only I was rich! Vintage/vintage style shoes is always a tough fnd for me, especially practical ones that fit and/or don’t hurt! But my mumma picked me up a fab pair of ankle-height brown wellies with fold over tops and a shearling-style inner. They are very cute and old fashioned though my mumma call them my granny boots! She picked them up from a charity shop in Wymondham just outside Norwich!
    Pip pip xxx

  • i am in love with all of these boots!! they look so cozy!

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