OH. MY. HAWT. It’s been a long time since I came across a shoe that I couldn’t get out of my head, that I was so distracted about that I couldn’t focus on anything else until I figured out how to make it mine. Miss L Fire‘s fall 2011 collection has this shoe, and several other shoes with a distinctly jazz age styling that are simply amazing. Miss L Fire always has some really quirky and amazing shoes, and this goes for the fall collection as well, but there are a few pairs that just defy awesome and somehow become…art. And do you see all these mid-height heels?! OK, I’ve talked this up enough, check out the shoes!
Goddess shoe - I don't usually post what I plan to hoard for myself, but these were just too good not to share. IWILLOWNTHESEClara shoe - a wonderfully detailed t-strap with a wide, low heel - also in green, red and black, and brownEdith shoe - an adorable oxford heel with a wonderful perforated design in the leather - also available in brown and royal blueGabrielle shoe, studded with Swarovski crystals - perfect for your holiday outings and dances - also available in red, blue, and brownMamie shoe - so cute! Also available in brown, black, and blue and tan comboMabel (she's the bomb?) shoe - a great option for a stylish flat shoe - also available in black and white combo and brown and white combo
Aris Allen is on a roll this week, this time with the debut of a new men’s shoe (a rare occurrence, indeed) – a lovely white wingtip oxford with classic broguing detail along the seams and on the toe. Aris Allen has been the go-to for affordable men’s swing dance shoes and I’m happy to see this welcome addition to their men’s footwear line. Now, you just have to decide if you are a white wingtip man or a white cap toe man…
I took this photograph at the movie theater tonight, from a giant banner for the movie “The Help,” which will be in theaters tomorrow. I am almost 95% certain that these shoes are the white Aris Allen 1940’s peep toe oxfords. Can anyone verify this? I suppose it caught me off-guard – you expect to see, for example, Remix reproduction 1920’s shoes in a 1920’s movie, but not necessarily 1940’s repro shoes in a 1960’s movie. Surprises where you least expect it. 🙂
Of course, after I save up and decide to buy them, they go out of stock...but now I get a second chance!
This post was written by Lindy Shopper.
I’m jumping out of my chair with excitement because the Balboas are back! At least for a limited run, that is – the Balboas in the ivory/parchment combo are available, along with the brown combo and black. If you’ve been on the fence about one of these pairs of shoes, get off the fence right now, sell an organ, take out a loan, and get them while they are in stock because LS has on good information that these shoes will no longer run in their current design.
In other glorious Remix news, the men’s captoe oxford is also available in a new color, a soft brown leather. The popular Anita shoe will be made in metallics – muted gold and silver – which I love because metallics go with so many things and make your footwork shine! Also available in a new color is the Strider, a 1930’s/40’s oxford, which breaks away from muted tones and now comes in a cheerful purple.
I don’t know if I had time to mention this style when they launched, but Remix’s Emily shoe is a lovely brogued t-strap shoe that is simply a knockout. Available in ivory and a bright blue they are calling “Ultramar Blue.” Using my Google skills (rather, looking for a photograph to post), I also found this shoe available in brown at Shoostore.com.
EBay seller 4 Birds Vintage may have hit the motherload: “This is just the one of a 50-pair shoe collection ~ mostly new old stock from a family shoe store ~ that will be available within the next week. Most shoes are from the years 1890 – 1940 and include original boxes and store price tags. Brands include Star, Poll Parrot, Florsheim, and more.” I’ll definitely be checking back to see what this seller adds to his/her eBay page!
This pair of white leather oxfords is the first of this collection listed and they are in fantastic condition. You’ll have to get a ruler out to determine the size, but the seller says, “These shoes measure 10″ in length on the inside, 3 1/2″ wide on the bottom, with a 1″ heel.” Buy It Now is at $125, a bit more than your Aris Allens, but definitely less than a pair of Remix oxfords.
I’ll keep the shoe theme going for another post…I stumbled upon Johnson Shoes in one of those lists of vintage clothing and shoe resources where most of the links are no longer working. Fortunately, the Johnson Shoes link still worked and I discovered a wonderful resource for 1930’s through 1950’s shoes for men and women. Based in the UK, Johnson Shoes has been selling hand crafted shoes since 1983.
From the website: “We always carry black, brown and white dance shoes, but all our ranges come in all colours. Different soles are available according to your needs. Whilst some styles and colours are in stock due to the fact we offer high quality handmade footwear so it can take a number of weeks to produce your shoes. We offer quality not speed.
Whether you want to dance all night or be comfortable all day we make quality footwear that caters for your needs. Whether you choose from one of the many designs you see on our site or design what you want it’s all in with the price.
Johnson shoes are dance orientated. We have jazz, rock and roll, swing, balboa and lindy-hop shoes, ballroom, and latin shoes, 40s jive, ceroc, leroc, salsa and jive shoes.
You can choose from a wide range of materials including, leather, suede, nubuck, patent, pony, non-leather and a choice of soles, leather, eva, suede , crepe and non-leather. We do all the above footwear from size 3 including half sizes to a ladies size 9 in selected styles and up to mens size 13”
You had me at Balboa…
In addition to custom footwear, Johnson Shoes carries some styles in stock, which are sold through the Rock and Roll Products website. The styles available in stock are also the styles you can customize.
Here’s what I’m loving from the site (there are no individual links, for some reason – sorry!):
Penny Loafer in black and white (I remember someone bemoaning Aris Allen discontinuing their white loafers...)"Telephone" heels in gold and silver - I can't even begin to tell you how much I am in love with this pair of shoesWhite bucks to go with your seersucker suit"Spanish" shoe in purple with teardrop cutoutsSaddle shoe in brown and beige"Clio" heels in brown croc
A couple of pre-owned Remix shoes popped up on eBay at a good price. First, a solid wedge, the Open Toe Spectator in black on black, with only two bids and current bidding at $41.00. Second, my absolute favorite pair of arrival sandals (due to their supreme comfort for after the dance), the Dara, in a smashing shade of red, with the bidding at $31.00.
Either technology or eBay is being uncooperative today, so the only photo I can share with you is of a pair of new red Dara shoes from the Remix website…but you should still check out the auctions if you are a size 9!
One of the few Etsy shops I revisit regularly is Flapper Flock, an Etsy store focused solely on 1920’s and 1930’s clothing, accessories, and other odds and ends from the jazz era. Flapper Flock is a division of the seller’s brick-and-mortar store in Redlands, California called Hobo’s Vintage. While her selection is usually small, there are always one or two really choice items to fall in love with.
Couple of distinct things about Flapper Flock 1) all prices include the cost of shipping, so what you see is the total cost you will pay for that item and 2) the seller will sometimes include “throwback” items, like a 1960’s does 1920’s drop waist dress. Other sellers try to do this and fail miserably, but with the items I have seen her post in this fashion it really is hard to tell, at least from the photos. I don’t see any throwback items listed right now.
Right now, Flapper Flock has some most excellent vintage shoes and some other odds and ends:
Navy 1930's dead stock shoes, size 6.5 Glorious pair of 1920's dead stock oxfords, size 6.5White perforated leather dead stock 1930's oxfords, size 6.51920's beaded drawstring purse1930's black camisole - in my opinion, older slips are almost always more beautiful than the ones you find being made today
The catalogs keep coming in the mail and, while the title says early spring, the Urban Outfitters pictorial actually wants to whisk you away to a tropical locale, not unlike the newest Shabby Apple collection. Urban Outfitters gives vintage a twist, of course, pairing new with old and doing some great reproduction basic accessories to enhance your dance, vintage, or vintage-inspired wardrobe.
For the ladies, I am loving the shoe selection, which features an array of awesome oxfords just begging for some heel slides, as well as some more practical Keds style sneaks for sueding. A pair of high waisted sailor shorts (pictured at right) might have to make a home in my closet, as well as a pair of their chunky wedges and a wonderful floppy, wide brim straw hat (to keep the sun off my face at the DCLX Dupont Circle dance!)
Note: The pair of oxfords I really love are not available online yet, but keep your eyes peeled for tone on tone brown leather and straw oxfords, as well as some strawberry print Vans (SO CUTE). C’mon Urban, get this stuff up and available!
Here are the goods:
Add a ribbon or flower to gussy it up a bit, or wear plain - available in four colorsLaser cutout oxfords, in three colors - cutouts mean sweaty feed can breathe!I like this skirt's subtle nod to Art DecoA sturdy arrival wedge to pair with a lovely sundress - available in three colorsStrike a pinup pose in these round sunglasses that are a nod to 1930's sunglasses
As most of the United States is blanketed with snow and ice, the Delia*s catalog arrives in my mailbox, bearing good tidings of warm weather that we won’t see for a few more months. I see cork soled wedges and sundresses and I want the temperature to go up 40 degrees so the sheet of ice covering my driveway will evaporate and I can emerge from the cocoon of winter coats into the warm glow of a summer sun. Is that too much to ask for?
Delia*s is one of those stores/catalogs that I think most people associate with teenagers, but every year I find something in the Delia*s catalog that becomes that thing that everyone asks, “Where did you get that? It’s so cute!” It’s definitely worth a look. Here’s a preview of some good things to come from Delia*s:
Polka dot dress, only $44.50Nautical stripe knit dressPolka dot shortYellow polka dot bikini - heheTwo tone oxford, also in black and whitePeep toe espadrille flats, also in navyYang wedge, in 4 colors...not danceable, but we still need arrival shoes, right?A more danceable option, Keds Champion Oxford in silver, also available in metallic blue
‘Tis the season to get rid of your dance shoes? One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, so we don’t mind here at Lindy Shopper! Here’s this week’s eBay offerings to get your feet ready to go for the next dance:
Red Remix Picasso Wedges, Size 10Remix Pleated Toe Wedge in Black, Size 6Aris Allen Camel 1930's Velvet Oxford, Size 10.5
Black is a staple color and I’m sure most of you have a pair of basic black dance shoes, but there was something about this particular pair of black oxfords, offered by Etsy seller Raleigh Vintage, that caught my eye and made me wish I could make this pair mine. They have a graceful shape and this lovely “stitched” detail throughout, which gives the appearance of either large stitches or a thread of ribbon running through cutouts in the shoe. At a size 6, they are small, but not so narrow, as the shoe width comes in at 3 inches.
Yes, I own a lot of shoes, but I rarely pay full price for them. Why? I am patient and if I wait long enough, eBay will deliver what I need at a reasonable price. If you buy cheaper shoes, you can buy more of them, theoretically, or have more money leftover to pay for all these amazing swing dance events coming up in the next few months. Lindy Focus, anyone? 😉
There were too many new auctions popping up for Remix and Aris Allen dance shoes, so I’m lumping them all together in this post. Here’s hoping they are in your size…
Aris Allen 1930's Oxford, size 9.5Aris Allen 1930's Camel Velvet Oxford, size 9.5Aris Allen Black Rugcutter Wedge, Size 7.5Remix Piazza in green, size 9Remix Open Toe Spectator in Brown, size 6.5-7, $0.99 starting priceRemix Greta Wedge in Green, size 6.5-7Remix Open Toe Spectator Wedge in brown, size 8
If you’re on the Remix Vintage Shoes email list, this probably isn’t news because you saw this in your inbox this morning – but for the rest of the world, Remix has introduced some new styles and a new color in an existing style. Three danceable pairs for the ladies and a new pair of oxfords for the gents. Excited! Here’s the lineup:
Boardwalk
“BOARDWALK – Sporty ladies oxford style lace-up in two tone combinations of Grey/Black, Brown/Cafe and Brown/Sand. Smart perforated details make this new style a stand-out! All leather construction with a polished stacked leather heel. Whole and half sizes 5.5 to 11. 1 7/8″ heel height.” This shoe is double hot in the black and gray combo…*drools*
Strider
“STRIDER – Smart vintage “replica” oxford in “croco” embossed leather with grosgraine trim detail. Picture yourself striding down the lane in this 1940’s “peep toe” lace-up with it’s rich, polished stacked leather heel. Comes in Cognac or Olive color embossed “croco” with all leather uppers and leather soles.
1 7/8 inch heel. Sizes 5.5 to 11.” These shoes look classy and efficient and, as the email points out, the green almost has a military look.
Cassandre
“CASSANDRE, now available in a two tone black combination. A 1920’s – ’30’s style with faux buttons and slip on construction. Also comes in navy or ivory.” This shoe has been in Remix’s catalog for a while, but the addition of the two tone black (with gray?) is a welcome one. I have these in the navy combo and love them…maybe Santa will bring me a pair of the black ones for Christmas. I’ve been really good this year, right?
Cap Toe Oxford
“CAP TOE OXFORD. A style that originated in the 1920’s and still remains a men’s classic, the Re-mix CAP TOE comes in white Nubuck with black leather trim, white Nubuck with brown leather trim and all white Nubuck. All have a polished leather sole and all leather construction. Sizes 7 1/2 to 13. Good for the “Avenue” and great for the dance floor!” Gentlemen, this is a good looking shoe. Feel free to invest in looking spectacular.
Now I have something to spend my Christmas money on after Christmas…as if that was ever a problem. 😉 I do love the new additions to the Remix shoe collection and can’t wait to see them on the dance floor. If you acquire any of these shoes, feel free to post a review of them in the comments section.
For a more casual, menswear-inspired look to go with your Lindy Hop duds, check out Steve Madden’s series of wingtip-inspired shoes – with leather soles no less!
Melin Oxford in black - also comes in two-tone hot pink and black or white and blackMiltie Oxford - hit the links or the dance floor; also comes in all black and all whiteMistaa Loafer - also comes in black, tan, silver, and white
Lindy Shopper 