Mariana by GOLC Loretta

The product description on these lovely velvet heels say that they’re 1940s Hollywood glamour inspired, but with all the vintage footwear we’ve featured here on Retro Vintage Shoes, these look more at place in the 1920s to the 1930s.

I can just imagine these shoe on the set of “Midnight in Paris”, a movie still in preproduction but has already been confirmed to have a storyline that takes place in the 1920s.

Anyway, which era these shoes come from doesn’t matter as much as the fact that these can be purchased now. These round toe t-strap mary janes in leather and velvet are available at ShoeBuy.com for just $49.95.

Complete your outfit with these modern day dresses in a 20s-inspired draped silhouette, a modern take on the flapper dress, and a simple dropped waist shift dresses:

Riller & Fount Miriam Draped Long Dress, $190.00; Young Fabulous & Broke Hazel Sequin Dress, $297.00; Costume National 85XV054 67154 900 Draped Dress, $369.25

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Marion Cotillard for instance has been spotted a couple of times in t-strap mary janes pumps, a shoe style which is unmistakably 1920s. Her hair, clothing and other accessories are other obvious clues of course.

Check out some pictures from the “Midnight in Paris” set and the actors looking like they came right out of the 20s:

Actors filming Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” garbed in 1920s costumes

I can’t wait to see how else they will incorporate the 1920s into this movie. And of course, I’m also looking forward to seeing more authentic 1920s clothes and shoes in “Midnight in Paris”.

Fashion-Era.com calls the mary jane shoes as THE style of the twenties and I couldn’t agree more. As this was the decade when hemlines were first raised to show the ankle (accompanied by much controversy), more focus and attention was given to the shoe and thus the embellished, decorated and ornamented shoe was born. Toes became more pointed, heels got a little higher, and shoes were adorned with sequins, satin, buckles and bows.

Shoe lovers have a lot to thank the twenties for because if it weren’t for the women getting smart and demanding that their skirt become shorter so that they’d stop sweeping the dirt off the floor with them, we’d have really plain shoes! I’m also thankful that the 1920s shoe style still prevails even up to this day, with barely a change in their silhouette and design.

So in anticipation of “Midnight in Paris”, here are 5 1920s t-strap mary jane pumps to help tide the wait over:

Clockwise from top: Circa Joan & David Cameo, $98.95. D&G Dolce & Gabbana DS1984 E1134 8B953 Two-Tone Bow Mary Janes, $339.39 (was $524.00). Ted Baker Imaluse, $95.00 (was $135.00). Biviel BV2325 Buckle Mary Janes, $165.00. Gabriella Rocha Shelby2, $53.96 (was $59.95).

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1. Mariana by GOLC Loretta Velvet T-Strap Heels
   

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2. Donald J Pliner Contrast Trim Peep Toe Mary Janes and Other Authentic Vintage 50s Two Tone Shoes
   

   I came across these shoes on Zappos.com and instantly fell in love: These are the Zsa peep toe mary janes from Donald J Pliner. Don’t they remind you of 50 shoes? They have the high stiletto heel that was a main fixture on women’s feet in the 50s, plus they have the piping trim in [...]

3. Woven Raffia Platform Mary Janes from Zinc
   

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Zinc Maria Pump

Named the “Maria Pump”, this modern take on the mary jane features a woven raffia upper. It is balanced on a 5-inch high curved stacked heel supported by a hidden platform placed under the sole. A suede quarter strap serves as the finishing touch to this shoe, easily adjusted with the aid of a distressed gold buckle.

Zinc Maria Pump

I find this updated version of the mary jane simply outstanding.

The best part about this shoe is that it is included in Heels.com’s sizzling summer sale which is ongoing right this very second. These Zinc mary janes, once $86.99, are now just $78.29. Okay, okay, that’s not even 10% off of the original price, but that just proves how in demand these beautiful babies are and a few dollars off of the price is better than nothing at all.

If you’re a size 6, then I envy you because these mary janes are yours for the taking. For us who are not blessed with such tiny feet, there are plenty of other shoes from designer brands at discount prices at the Heels.com sale.

Further reading:

Find out how mary janes evolved from being a little girls’ footwear to a grown woman’s shoe.

And

Don’t these mary janes remind you of Jessica Biel’s Dries Van Noten Raffia Oxford Pumps?

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Here’s 5 pairs just to give you an idea on what’s in store over at Overstock:

Steven Dramah, US$72

J. Shoes Maree, US$31

Cordani Dalton, US$127

Steven Director, US$61

Poetic License Vintage Revival, US$60

Check out Overstock.com for more retro and vintage inspired footwear!

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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

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Check out my top 8 choices for 1950s-inspired shoes with contrast trim:

1. AK Anne Klein Verlina

AK Anne Klein Verlina peeptoe slingbacks, $71.06

2. Boutique 9 Joanna

Boutique 9 Joanna raffia heels, $95.96

3. J. Renee Adena

J. Renee Adena bow pumps, $78.50

4. Kate Spade Marion

Kate Spade Marion peep toe pumps, $190.35

5. See by Chloe SB14112

See by Chloe SB14112 espadrille canvas wedges, $224.00

6. Seychelles Lavish

Seychelles Lavish scalloped edge wedges, $84.00

7. Seychelles Tippy Toes

Seychelles Tippy Toes lace-up ankle cuff heels with petal cutouts, $80.37

8. Charles by Charles David Juniper

Charles by Charles David Juniper peep toe mary janes, $75.00

Are you digging the contrast trim detail from the 50s?

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Mother-daughter duo Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise were spotted last April 11 heading off to a picnic in New York.

Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise

(photo care of Just Jared)

Katie was looking hip and fresh in a tiered sleeveless top, jeans, and a pair of vintage looking sneakers.

Katie’s vintage looking sneakers

(photo care of Just Jared)

Suri on the other hand, was looking cute as always, in a navy dress with tulle underlayer, black cardi, and a pair of bright green peep toe Mary Janes.

Suri Cruise’s peep-toe Mary Janes

(photo care of Just Jared)

There are days when Katie’s mommy-on-duty look is simply off the  fashion mark, but this picnic day look with Suri is a great hit. I love it!

If you want it, raid your closet for some skinny denims and a sleeveless top, and don’t forget to wear the key items – vintage sneakers and sunglasses.

7 For All Mankind Tiered Cami, on sale for US$106 (6pm.com)

Tretorn T58 Poplin W, US$65

OR

Simple Satire Hemp, US$55

WITH

Fossil Bree, US$45

For your little one to look like Suri here, any dress and black cardi will do; just make sure she puts on the key pieces – light colored peep toe Mary Janes and a bow embellished headband.

Kate Mack Daisy Diva, US$64

Splendid Little Jersey Ruffle Cardigan, US$63

Petit Peep Toe Mary Janes, on sale for US$41 (6pm.com)

Juicy Couture Headband with Bow and Heart Charm, US$40

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These are the Zsa peep toe mary janes from Donald J Pliner. Don’t they remind you of 50 shoes? They have the high stiletto heel that was a main fixture on women’s feet in the 50s, plus they have the piping trim in a contrasting color which were common on women’s shoes in that era.

Here’s a collection of pictures I found on the internet of 5 genuine vintage 50s shoes featuring the contrast trim, to show just how common it was back then:

Black on mustard on these Andrew Geller for Joseph La Rose pointy toe pumps

Navy accented with gold on these vintage 5os John Marino New York mules

The clear foot strap is set off by the beige tone of the rest of these Nicholas Ungar slingbacks

Black and white mesh pumps from the “I Love Lucy” era

Another pair of authentic vintage 50s pumps, this time in black and brown

I like the clean line that the contrast trim makes and I think they somehow make the feet look narrower and slimmer. I’ll most definitely be on the lookout for more shoes with contrast trim next time I go shoe hunting. I’ll share what I’ll be able to find in a next post here on Retro Vintage Shoes!

If you’re liking the Donald J Pliner Zsa peep toe mary janes, they’re available for purchase for $214.12 at Zappos.com.

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Selena Gomez (2009 Teen Choice Awards)

After seeing this photo, I couldn’t help but compare it with the most recent one taken of her during last month’s 2010 Kids Choice Awards.

Selena Gomez (2010 Kids Choice Awards)

The look of the dresses are so similar – soft, feminine, and short, with a bit of draping; very Grecian.

However, I do think that she made a mistake with last year’s outfit by pairing it with metallic T-strap pumps instead of sexy strappy sandals. The shoes simply did not go with her Grecian inspired one-shoulder number.

If you can’t see my point, just try to imagine the goddess Athena walking in a beautiful garden wearing pumps. Get the picture?

A romantic looking dress, or a classic and structured piece would have done the T-straps pumps some justice. A few good examples would be the following:

 Haute Hippie Embellished Tank Dress

Type Z Raphaela

Calvin Klein Nicky Off Shoulder Dress

Anyway, I think Selena learned from her style mishap last year because  in last month’s Kids Choice Awards, she was looking spot-on. She chose a pair of snakeskin high-heeled gladiator sandals from Sergio Rossi to go with the yellow Grecian dress (as seen in the photo above). 

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