Mock Croc in Fashion

Our Marvelous Marilyn pre-order is in full swing, and we are so pleased that you love our new mock croc Marilyn Pumps as much as we do!

Marilyn Pumps in mock croc leather in cordovan.

Crocodile-effect leather (as it is sometimes called) is definitely having a moment in contemporary fashion. We expect that we will see even more of this distinctive printed leather on runways and in fashion in 2025. Those of us who are of the more vintage and historical persuasions may know that this distinctive leather has been appearing in fashion spaces dating back through the decades (even the centuries).

Now, just to be super clear off the top; our new Marilyns are mock croc, as in, not real crocodile. They are made from a carefully embossed cow leather, which gives the look of crocodile. That’s what makes it mock croc. It has all of the elevated appearance with none of the croc.

Marilyn Pumps in mock croc leather, in black.

Real crocodile leather has a history going back thousands of years, when peoples from places near crocodile habitats would utilize their leather for clothing, jewelry, et cetera. Crocodile skins were also a valuable trade item in many places. Fast forward to the Victorian era, and crocodile leather began to gain popularity in luxury fashion. The unique appearance of crocodile leather was alluring, with its variated scale sizes and detailed patterns. Additionally, as with exotic feathers and other exotic skins, crocodile leather was a way to show the world one’s wealth. Crocodile leather was especially favored for luggage and bags.

Early 20th c. croc leather satchel, from the collection at the Metropolitan Museum.

This mid-19th-c. travelling trunk is covered in real croc leather.

This Edwardian-era handbag, c. 1900, is made from crocodile leather with a silk moiré lining. From Doe & Hope Antiques.

A cow leather and crocodile leather handbag from c. 1889, from the collection at the V&A Museum.

In the 1920s, exotic leathers began to surge in popularity again as technological advancements made the exotic leather trades more efficient. Crocodile leather remained especially fashionable through the 1930s and on into the 1940s.

Two-in-one: this early 1930s H. Leoncino shoe has lizard skin on the vamp and crocodile skin on the heel. From the collection at the Bata Shoe Museum.

Of course, these decades saw a great deal of financial hardship and resource limitations due to the Great Depression and World War 2. Amongst a great deal of innovative, cost-and-resource-cutting fashion trends and techniques, mock crocodile began to make it’s way onto the scene.

1940s lace-up pumps, for sale on First Dibs.

1930s shoes from the collection at the V&A Museum.

One pair of these shoes is real, and one is mock croc. Can you tell which is which? We’ll tell you: the pair on First Dibs is faux, and the pair from the V&A is real.

Mock croc leather can vary pretty widely in quality and appearance. This was the case 75 years ago as it is today. Some mock croc items lack texture and size variance in the patterning, which makes it look less expensive and more obviously fake. A careful embossing with texture, variated scale sizing, and careful patterning makes all the difference in the world when it comes to achieving the elevated appearance of croc-effect leather.

Real crocodile handbag, French, 1938. From the collection at the V&A Museum.

Mock croc continued to be used in items like belts, bags, purses, and oh yes, shoes, through the 1950s and 1960s. Alongside mock croc, real crocodile leather was also used. When looking for vintage items, sometimes you can find real crocodile leather and quality mock croc leather cross-listed as one or the other. It can require careful discernment to tell them apart in pictures!

Green Andre Perugia crocodile shoes, c. 1935, from the collection at the V&A Museum.

By the 1970s, sadly, crocodile populations had declined significantly worldwide. In many places, laws and regulations around the production of exotic skins were passed. Mock croc has remained an excellent alternative to this controversial material through to today.

We love our mock croc Marilyns because they have such a beautifully elevated, sophisticated appearance, and it is achieved through our careful development process with the croc-embossed leather we used. You will love them because they masterfully combine what is happening in contemporary fashion with the vintage charm and period-accurate aesthetic that us fashion history and costuming enthusiasts so enjoy! They are truly a classic that will take any outfit up a few notches.