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Some of the material presented here may be posted by permission of the author
Send suggestions and comments to : WebGuy@plainolas.com
Plain Ol' As Model A Ford Club
Plain Ol' As Model A Ford Club
Serving Northeast Kansas
Serving Northeast Kansas
Introduction
Let’s face it…Men’s Shoes have pretty much always been boring and there were no large changes in footwear throughout the Model A period. That’s good for us ‘cause it means we can find shoes today that would fit right in. Looking through period catalogs, one thing that pops out is that “Shoes” are what we might call ‘high-tops” whereas the shoe shape we’re more familiar were specifically called "Oxfords." We'll discuss each style of footwear based on the kind of setting in which it would be found.
Formal Business and Dress Occasions
For business and casual wear, shoes and oxfords used either black or brown leather for the uppers. However, 1930 saw the introduction of bold, new colors like Navy Blue. (As an aside, the leather could be anything from kid to kangaroo!) The leather soles matched the uppers in color and sported a leather heel (with or without a rubber heel cap). As a generalization for the Model A times, the “Oxford” style seemed to be gaining in popularity over the high-topped shoes, especially in the summer. In colder weather, the well-dressed gentleman would either don a pair of spats (in gray, light brown, or white) or switch to high-tops for warmth.
Stitching and other decorations across the toe tended to be subdued (straight stitched rather than “wing-tip” design) and some plain toes with no stitching were infrequently seen. There was some variation in the toes from the somewhat square and boxy “Blucher” to the more modern rounded version, termed the “Balmoral” toe. All toes, however, tend to look noticeably more blunt than those in fashion today.
Shoes for dress occasions could lace all the way up or incorporate hooks above the ankle.
While “step-in” oxfords (what we would call “loafers) were becoming acceptable, dressy versions frequently had some form of decoration that would resemble lacing.
1928 1929 1930 1931
Let’s face it…Men’s Shoes have pretty much always been boring and there were no large changes in footwear throughout the Model A period. That’s good for us ‘cause it means we can find shoes today that would fit right in. Looking through period catalogs, one thing that pops out is that “Shoes” are what we might call ‘high-tops” whereas the shoe shape we’re more familiar were specifically called "Oxfords." We'll discuss each style of footwear based on the kind of setting in which it would be found.
Formal Business and Dress Occasions
For business and casual wear, shoes and oxfords used either black or brown leather for the uppers. However, 1930 saw the introduction of bold, new colors like Navy Blue. (As an aside, the leather could be anything from kid to kangaroo!) The leather soles matched the uppers in color and sported a leather heel (with or without a rubber heel cap). As a generalization for the Model A times, the “Oxford” style seemed to be gaining in popularity over the high-topped shoes, especially in the summer. In colder weather, the well-dressed gentleman would either don a pair of spats (in gray, light brown, or white) or switch to high-tops for warmth.
Stitching and other decorations across the toe tended to be subdued (straight stitched rather than “wing-tip” design) and some plain toes with no stitching were infrequently seen. There was some variation in the toes from the somewhat square and boxy “Blucher” to the more modern rounded version, termed the “Balmoral” toe. All toes, however, tend to look noticeably more blunt than those in fashion today.
Shoes for dress occasions could lace all the way up or incorporate hooks above the ankle.
While “step-in” oxfords (what we would call “loafers) were becoming acceptable, dressy versions frequently had some form of decoration that would resemble lacing.
1928 1929 1930 1931
Men's Footwear
Designed by GOEMO.de
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Footwear for the Blue Collar Working world and Casual Occasions
The casual shoe and oxford seemed to have a somewhat more pronounced stitching, including “wing tips” and perforations along the stitching and even into the toe. Two-tone shoes (white and black as well as white and brown) appeared were popular for participation in spring and summer sports (even if just watching) and other outdoor activities.
1928 1929 1930 1931
The casual shoe and oxford seemed to have a somewhat more pronounced stitching, including “wing tips” and perforations along the stitching and even into the toe. Two-tone shoes (white and black as well as white and brown) appeared were popular for participation in spring and summer sports (even if just watching) and other outdoor activities.
1928 1929 1930 1931
Athletic Shoes
Canvas shoes in white, black and brown, were available in both low-quarters and high top versions. (think “Keds”) as well as the still-in-use-today white low-quarters were both very popular. Athletic shoes could have separate heels or solid platform soles, with the back of the sole being thicker.
1928 1929 1930 1931
Canvas shoes in white, black and brown, were available in both low-quarters and high top versions. (think “Keds”) as well as the still-in-use-today white low-quarters were both very popular. Athletic shoes could have separate heels or solid platform soles, with the back of the sole being thicker.
1928 1929 1930 1931
Modern replacements
While, you could find shoes with the same rounded toe without stitching in Model A times, where’s the fun in that? Watch for stubby or blocky toes with some stitching across the toe. And, yes, Virginia, you can STILL buy high-top leather shoes!
While, you could find shoes with the same rounded toe without stitching in Model A times, where’s the fun in that? Watch for stubby or blocky toes with some stitching across the toe. And, yes, Virginia, you can STILL buy high-top leather shoes!
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Introduction
Let’s face it…Men’s Shoes have pretty much always been boring and there were no large changes in footwear throughout the Model A period. That’s good for us ‘cause it means we can find shoes today that would fit right in. Looking through period catalogs, one thing that pops out is that “Shoes” are what we might call ‘high-tops” whereas the shoe shape we’re more familiar were specifically called "Oxfords." We'll discuss each style of footwear based on the kind of setting in which it would be found.
There was some variation in the toes from the somewhat square and boxy “Blucher” to the more modern rounded version, sometimes termed the “Balmoral” toe. Most of the toe shapes, however, tend to look noticeably more blunt than those in fashion today.
Let’s face it…Men’s Shoes have pretty much always been boring and there were no large changes in footwear throughout the Model A period. That’s good for us ‘cause it means we can find shoes today that would fit right in. Looking through period catalogs, one thing that pops out is that “Shoes” are what we might call ‘high-tops” whereas the shoe shape we’re more familiar were specifically called "Oxfords." We'll discuss each style of footwear based on the kind of setting in which it would be found.
There was some variation in the toes from the somewhat square and boxy “Blucher” to the more modern rounded version, sometimes termed the “Balmoral” toe. Most of the toe shapes, however, tend to look noticeably more blunt than those in fashion today.
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