Moccasins – From Native American Indian Footwear to Mainstream Fashion

Ever wonder who created the oh-so-comfortable Moccasins?

Moccasins were first developed by Native American Indians for the purpose of protecting their feet.

The original Moccasins had a slipper-like characteristic with very thin soles and sides, both of which were made from one piece of leather stitched together at the top.

Here’s a picture of  a pair of authentic Native American Moccasins:

18th Century Native American Beaded Moccasins

(Image care of History.org of Colonial Williamsburg)

The Native Americans preferred to keep their Moccasin soles thin, flexible, and soft because they wanted to feel the ground while walking, hunting, planting, or going about with their daily activities. However, hard soled Moccasins were also developed by Native Americans who lived in the rocky terrains.

The Moccasins were actually the “original” lace-less shoes, and it inspired the development of  the popular lace-less shoes known to many today as “loafers”.

However, although the first Moccasins were lace-less, Native Americans did also develop Moccasins with shoe ties or laces such as the authentic 19th century Native American Moccasins below:

Moccasins from the Estate of Chief Washakie, Wind River Reservation, Wyoming (1900)

(Image from Wikipedia)

Today, most Moccasins still have the distinctly thin soles, but the styles are more varied, ranging from the native looking to the very modern and fashion forward.

Here are a few selections of today’s fashionable Moccasins:

UGG Sightsee Men’s Moccasins

Old Friend Margaret Ladies’ Moccasin Boots

Me Too Proud Moccasin-inspired Loafers

House of Harlow 1960 Misha Beaded Moccasin Boot

House of Harlow 1960 Malorie Cutout Moccasin Bootie