10 Retro and Vintage Shoes for Your Mom this Mother’s Day

Erika — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:05:52 +0000

If the fast-approaching mother’s day holiday has got you in a bind over what to get your mom, here’s a fail-safe gift idea: shoes. What woman doesn’t love shoes? And for an extra-special gift, try hunting down the style of shoes that were fashionable during her younger years. I’m sure your mom will get a kick out of getting a pair of retro or vintage shoes and reliving the time when she was still growing up.

I’ve gathered 10 retro and vintage-inspired shoes as mother’s day gift ideas. I hope there’s a pair here that’ll suit your mom!

1. Bass Glenbrook stacked heel saddle shoes

Bass Glenbrook, $69.00

2. Boutique 9 Ronnie brogues

Botique 9 Ronnie, $103.96

3. BORN Women’s Gellar mary jane wedges

BORN Women’s Gellar, $102.00

4. Bass Brookfield loafers

Bass Brookfield, $69.00

5. Clarks Un.actual clogs

Clarks Un.actual, $110.00

6. Paul Smith Bonita swirky strappy platform wedges

Paul Smith Bonita, $349.00

7. Diesel Life-10 stiletto pumps

Diesel Life-10, $140.00

8. Steven by Steve Madden Women’s Justyne t-strap peep toe heels

Steven by Steve Madden Women’s Justyne, $120.00

9. Converse Jack Purcell® Ox vintage sneakers

Converse Jack Purcell® Ox, $60.00

10. Frye Maxine Trapunto Harness boots

Frye Maxine Trapunto Harness, $368.00

Mules: Footwear That Goes Back to the 1700s

Roselle — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:39:42 +0000

The mules I am pertaining to in this article do not concern animals. It refers to a type of footwear that has an open back (with no straps or covering on the heel area) but with a closed front. Mules can have heels, platforms, or wedges. Regardless of material and heel type or height, if the shoes are open at the back and closed at the front, it’s basically a pair of mules.

Mules are worn by women, kids, and even men today, and it comes in varied styles that go from casual to dressy:

Rockport Garden casual mules for women

Dressy mules from Stuart Weitzman

Casual mules for men from Naot Footwear

Dressy flat mules for kids from RAGG Kids

You’d be surprised to know that mules go all the way back to the 1700’s. It’s definitely more vintage than most footwear (though not as old as Roman sandals).

Back then, only men and women of class wore mules. Wearing it conveyed a status symbol by implying luxury. Laborers could not wear mules because it was hard to work in such a pair of shoes that would slip off easily. The rich displayed the privilege of not needing to work by showing off their backless shoes.

If you’re curious how 18th century mules looked like, refer to the photo below:

18th century mules for women

Today, people still wear mules more because it is easy to wear rather than for status symbol. Mules were quite hot back in the late 1990’s, but its popularity has simmered down.

This coming spring however, mules are making a comeback. Check out these spring shoes from YSL and Alexander Wang:

YSL Closed Toe Stilleto (Spring 2010)

Alexander Wang Trish Loafer Wedge (Spring 2010)

To stay in trend for spring, check out these ladies’ mules from Zappos.com:

CARLOS by Carlos Santana Funky

Corso Como Simple

Donald J. Pliner Filvi

You can also purchase these options for the special man in your life:

Born Will

Finn Comfort Weimar

Retro & Vintage Shoes » Born

10 Retro and Vintage Shoes for Your Mom this Mother’s Day

Mules: Footwear That Goes Back to the 1700s