Historical Shoes … So, What’s Next, Ladies?

My particular fave.  This is from Shoe Icons (eng.shoeicons.com)

With the success of the “Georgiana” shoes (and it’s only been a week!), this means that more styles of period-accurate shoes *will* be on their way, but I need your help in deciding what these shoes will be!

As with the Georgies, your input is incredibly important.  You all literally helped shape those shoes to become exactly what was wanted and needed, by giving me your input on everything from what decade of the 18th c., to what material, to what sizes, to what kind of stitching.  So I ask you once again to add your two cents, and vote for what style of shoe you want to see next.  Choose from the list or enter your own answer.  Thank you!:

31 Comments

  • Sarah

    April 9, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    i like them all! but i think 18th c mules would be sweet… some places have them, but they are leather and have a chunky, un-dainty heel.
    if we had leather georgies, would they be dye-able leather? or would you have them in awesome colours like yellow, green, and bright blue? It'd be nice to find leather shoes in something other than black and brown. 🙂

  • MrsC (Maryanne)

    April 9, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    I voted for the 1860-1890 shoes because I saw extant one in the Museum of London and WOW, plus I think they would 'do' for several other periods also, at a pinch. 🙂

  • Beth

    April 10, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    I voted Edwardian – I think that era is going to gain in popularity over the next couple years, and you should have the shoes ready to supply the need! Plus I think those, and leather Georgianas, are about the hardest styles to find from other sources. At the moment, you're just not gonna find anything at DSW that comes close to either style.

    And I think that anything that is sell-able in the wedding marketplace is a smart business move. 🙂

  • Katherine Caron-Greig

    April 10, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    I voted Regency, but am pretty sure I'll be getting whatever comes next. I have plenty of make do Regency shoes, but none are quite right, and Regency shoes are more visible than just about any other era!

  • Lauren Stowell

    April 10, 2011 at 1:22 AM

    This is going to be a tough decision! Regency slippers and Edwardian strappy pumps are neck-and-neck (or foot-and-foot?) right now. I think the Edwardian era is going to get popular too (results of an earlier poll asking what the next big "trend" in costuming is). Then again, we have the 1812 celebration AND the 1912 memorial coming up next year…so possibly both Regency and Edwardian, back-to-back? Oooo, delicious!

  • Lauren Stowell

    April 10, 2011 at 1:23 AM

    To answer some questions – I'm always going to try for maximum customizability with each of the shoe styles we bring out. So…the leather version will be white/natural colored leather that can be dyed or painted with leather paints to a wide range of colors. The Edwardian strappies will probably be leather, while a mid-19th c. evening pump will probably be silk, etc.

  • Lydia Elizabeth Burnwell

    April 10, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    Wow that was a hard choice! Especially between the 18th century mules and the leather 18 century!! (I ended up voting for the mules–I've always wanted a pair of those!)

  • Mistress of Disguise

    April 10, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    Those 1900-1919 pumps are to die for! I love the criss-crossing straps, so pretty! I wish I could vote for more than one option, hehe. I'd definitely get a pair of leather Georgianas, though, for every day wear!

  • Hana - Marmota

    April 10, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    I voted Regency; if they were like on the picture, with the pointed… what's the front of a shoe called?… they'd be exactly what I'd been looking for. Because I could fairly easily smuggle them into my other era, 15th century, too. 😀

  • Lauren Stowell

    April 12, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    So now I'm thinking….1812/1912/2012. Do a Regency 1812 slipper and and Edwardian 1912 pump at the same time, and released…wait for it is…1/1/2012?

  • The Dreamstress

    April 12, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    1910s please! Those shoes are so fabulous! All the rest you can find reasonable-ish versions of.

    Of course 1812-1912 would be fab too, and would work perfectly with this years 'Your Wardrobe Unlock'd' contest (though I still haven't decided if I think they are evil or not!)

  • Leia

    April 12, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    It was extremely difficult to decide, but I eventually went with the Edwardian. If I could, my vote would be 'all of the above' because to get a high-quality period-accurate shoe at the prices you are offering is next to impossible.
    I guarantee you that I will be ordering more in the future, so keep the styles coming.
    If Edwardian wins, the next should be Regency. You should also consider adding boot styles to your line-up for those who need sturdier footwear or for bad weather (It does rain in CA) Or you could offer pattens, I suppose. 🙂

  • kadrianart

    April 12, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    I'm sure to buy whatever you offer especially another 18th c. I also would like to see something with a bit more height. And do you ever think you could offer a *customers own material* option. As in- I send in my yard of brocade and they are made up in that? Just a little wish.

  • Lauren Stowell

    April 13, 2011 at 1:43 AM

    Okay – it's looking like leather 18th c. shoes out later this year, followed by possibly one other style in time for Christmas, and then on January 1st, a release of the 1812 AND the 1912 styles. I have much work to do!

    Boots are a possibility in the future, but they run quite a bit more expensive and have design challenges unique to them.

    Kadrianart, I can't offer the "customer's own material" option at this time because I am only able to get each shoe style in a minimum large quantity, all the same color/material, but varying in sizes. I would love to, though, but can't do it with our set up.

  • Emily Kate

    April 13, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    1860s/Victorian would be awesome–it's hard to find good shoes for Civil War reenacting, and with that range of years I could wear them with my bustle dress too! Plus they're just super cute 😀

  • Hana - Marmota

    April 13, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    I like your current decision! Now I have time to save up for my Regency slippers! 🙂
    I hope the styles will still be available after some time, though, because I like the idea of the leather 18th century, too. I love the shape of this shoe, but I don't have an excuse for 18th century and can't afford buying another pair of shoes just because I like it right now… as I already have several good pairs. The Regency is a different case, because I DO have an excuse for those – two excuses, actually.

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