Style Forever

If you are interested in vintage clothing and styles then you will need to do some research into sizing and fit from different periods, as these can often be very different from the modern way of fashioning and tailoring clothes, which can make it more different to choose the right sizing. This is particularly important when it comes to choosing vintage shoes, as badly fitting shoes are not only uncomfortable but they can affect your overall posture and cause foot, leg and back strain.

Quality and Condition
It is amazing to think that shoes made over 50 years ago can still be worn today, but remember that in most cases shoes made in the early to mid 20th Century were handmade by specialised craftsmen, and the quality is outstanding and comparable today to shoes that cost well over several hundred dollars per pair. High quality vintage shoes are well sought after, but you can still get a pair in good condition for as little as $30-$50 dollars, and these will just keep on going with a little tender loving care. Be very careful when vintage shoes are described as ‘worn’, as this usually means they are almost worn out, and it is worth paying more for a pair in better condition as this will save you money on any expensive repairs. Most vintage shoes that are described as in ‘good’ condition may only need a few minor repairs such as a heel tap (around $5 in any good shoe repair shop) or a really good clean and polish.

Sizing
The main problem with vintage shoes is that many of the handmade ones do not have any standardised sizing, so you would have to try each pair on to know whether they fit, and if you were a size 6 in a modern shoe you may be anything from a 5.5 through to a 7.5 in a vintage shoe. Also vintage shoes tended to be much smaller and narrower than modern shoes, and finding a vintage ladies shoe in anything over a size 7 can be quite difficult.

Related Tags

http://www style-forever com/vintage-shoe-buying-guide/

Related posts:

1. Buying Guide – High Heels
2. Buying Flattering Shoes – Part 1