The way I LEAPED to read this when the notification popped up!! Love saddle shoes and always have!! To me they are very sockhop, American Graffiti, 1950s rockabilly shoes. Hopefully this is the push they need to make a comeback!
When I met my husband (in college, May 2013,) he wore an unassuming uniform of white Hanes t shirts, blue jeans, and a pair of cream and navy saddle shoes that he laced up religiously until the soles cracked. This sartorial and personal branding dilemma caused by the irreplaceable shoes (I checked) was rectified by a pair of considerably more sedate Mephistos gifted by his grandparents, and began my husband’s transition to a 90% Uniqlo wardrobe in earthy colors befitting the 30-something IT manager he is today. When I think of saddle shoes, I think fondly of my clean-shaven poetry minor boyfriend in his working class Americana cosplay.
They WERE a defining thing for us golden oldies who grew up in the 50s & 60s. I wore them all the time when I was in high school with thick wooly socks scrunched down or cotton “Bobby” socks. For the cheerleaders in my high school, they were part of their uniform. I think that is why I liked them so much; I could pretend I was one of them. But you are right- there was never really a resurgence of them as a fashion trend, like Mary Janes. Maybe because they skew too preppy? To me, back in the day, they were the epitome of cool. But had to be worn with the scrunchy thick sock.
I was obsessed with the Rachel Antonoff Bass shoe collection in high school and saved up to buy the red shiny patent leather pair! Sadly sold them in college for some reason but have been trying to search for the same ones in my size in the last couple of years. Absolutely love saddle shoes.
"Forgotten middle child" really hits. I had a pair as kid in the late 90s/early 00s - I remember wearing them to get holiday pictures taken and felt so chic and sophisticated (I had to be between 4-6 years old). But I can't say I have thought much about saddle shoes in the last 2 decades!
Honestly, I love the enthusiasm for this style in the comments and I'm shocked at how excited I feel about this shoe! Thanks for highlighting this absolute classic, Viv! Consider me convinced to add the Labucq's to my holiday wishlist.
In my youth, saddle shoes were one of two options the Catholic school gave us as uniform-approved shoes (the other was plain white Reeboks). When I was very young, my preppy white mother selected the saddle shoes for me. By the time I was in middle school and given enough agency to choose, I rejected them. The saddle shoes felt overly preppy and try-hard. A style for the popular girls, cheerleaders, and shy bookish types. I’ve never been any of those things and felt the urge to resist something so overtly demure and feminine. Now would be a great time to note that no boys wore saddle shoes. I’m not sure they were even allowed to.
I’ve maintained my resistance to Catholic school uniform styles since then, even struggling to style plaid skirts (which I like!) in fear or looking too preppy. I never wanted to look like I was going around in a schoolgirl costume. More so, I didn’t want people to mistake me for the kind of person who actually enjoyed Catholic school.
Reading this article, I’m actually very tempted. I think you make a great case for why the style could take off. But there’s also a great accidental argument for why I personally should give saddle shoes a second chance. I often struggle to express my gender identity through androgynous style. Femme-presenting people are just allowed to wear pants and button down shirts and other masculine items. I love the idea of saddle shoes as genderless. I love the interest they could add to my simple style. I think they fit my style priorities of classic, academic, and cool. I’ve already been able to imagine several outfits I’d style them with in my own wardrobe. I’ll have to think about it more, but this was a very compelling read.
They harken me back to my high school ModCloth era that I’m embarrassed by in retrospect, but l think they’re actually easier to style than loafers where I always feel like I’m wearing the wrong socks
the photos of mick <3 bert from sesame street <3 audrey horne <3 they always used to remind me of bowling shoes, but now they definitely feel nostalgic for late 2000s twee aesthetics, worn with over-the-knee american apparel socks
I just got my Norman’s, now I’m thinking I’ll hop back in and get the saddle shoes? Also “flunk-out girl scout who ranked lowest in her cohort for thin mint sales” sent me and describes my off duty style to a T
I believe saddle shoes are going to make a big comeback I know that I wear them and I think it's very encouraging that Sarah Jessica Parker wears them there are some other Hollywood people that wear them too. And you look very beautiful in your saddle shoes I think you look really cute in them. But overall yes I do think they're going to make a comeback more and more people are wearing them once again
Just purchased a pair of vintage eastland saddle shoes from Depop. It was your article plus my aunt who was sporting a pair when we went shopping together this past weekend that did me in.
I complimented hers, a suede black and steely metallic combo and she reminded me that it was I who convinced her to buy them ten years prior while shopping at Akira Chicago.
Thank you for writing this article, it was fascinating! 🖤
Ive always associated saddle shoes with 50’s sock hop aesthetic. I just purchased a pair of vintage eastland saddle shoes from Depop. It was your article plus my aunt who was sporting a pair when we went shopping together this past weekend that did me in.
I complimented hers, a suede black and steely metallic combo and she reminded me that it was I who convinced her to buy them ten years prior while shopping together at Akira Chicago.
Thanks for writing this article, it was fascinating! 🖤
The way I LEAPED to read this when the notification popped up!! Love saddle shoes and always have!! To me they are very sockhop, American Graffiti, 1950s rockabilly shoes. Hopefully this is the push they need to make a comeback!
When I met my husband (in college, May 2013,) he wore an unassuming uniform of white Hanes t shirts, blue jeans, and a pair of cream and navy saddle shoes that he laced up religiously until the soles cracked. This sartorial and personal branding dilemma caused by the irreplaceable shoes (I checked) was rectified by a pair of considerably more sedate Mephistos gifted by his grandparents, and began my husband’s transition to a 90% Uniqlo wardrobe in earthy colors befitting the 30-something IT manager he is today. When I think of saddle shoes, I think fondly of my clean-shaven poetry minor boyfriend in his working class Americana cosplay.
the note from SJP is so sweet!! lucy from peanuts was def the tipping point to convince me to try and search for some cute saddle shoes !!
They WERE a defining thing for us golden oldies who grew up in the 50s & 60s. I wore them all the time when I was in high school with thick wooly socks scrunched down or cotton “Bobby” socks. For the cheerleaders in my high school, they were part of their uniform. I think that is why I liked them so much; I could pretend I was one of them. But you are right- there was never really a resurgence of them as a fashion trend, like Mary Janes. Maybe because they skew too preppy? To me, back in the day, they were the epitome of cool. But had to be worn with the scrunchy thick sock.
Molly the American girl doll was peak saddle shoe fashion imo! That was a girl with style and style I still copy!
I was obsessed with the Rachel Antonoff Bass shoe collection in high school and saved up to buy the red shiny patent leather pair! Sadly sold them in college for some reason but have been trying to search for the same ones in my size in the last couple of years. Absolutely love saddle shoes.
Ah! The saddle shoe!
"Forgotten middle child" really hits. I had a pair as kid in the late 90s/early 00s - I remember wearing them to get holiday pictures taken and felt so chic and sophisticated (I had to be between 4-6 years old). But I can't say I have thought much about saddle shoes in the last 2 decades!
Honestly, I love the enthusiasm for this style in the comments and I'm shocked at how excited I feel about this shoe! Thanks for highlighting this absolute classic, Viv! Consider me convinced to add the Labucq's to my holiday wishlist.
In my youth, saddle shoes were one of two options the Catholic school gave us as uniform-approved shoes (the other was plain white Reeboks). When I was very young, my preppy white mother selected the saddle shoes for me. By the time I was in middle school and given enough agency to choose, I rejected them. The saddle shoes felt overly preppy and try-hard. A style for the popular girls, cheerleaders, and shy bookish types. I’ve never been any of those things and felt the urge to resist something so overtly demure and feminine. Now would be a great time to note that no boys wore saddle shoes. I’m not sure they were even allowed to.
I’ve maintained my resistance to Catholic school uniform styles since then, even struggling to style plaid skirts (which I like!) in fear or looking too preppy. I never wanted to look like I was going around in a schoolgirl costume. More so, I didn’t want people to mistake me for the kind of person who actually enjoyed Catholic school.
Reading this article, I’m actually very tempted. I think you make a great case for why the style could take off. But there’s also a great accidental argument for why I personally should give saddle shoes a second chance. I often struggle to express my gender identity through androgynous style. Femme-presenting people are just allowed to wear pants and button down shirts and other masculine items. I love the idea of saddle shoes as genderless. I love the interest they could add to my simple style. I think they fit my style priorities of classic, academic, and cool. I’ve already been able to imagine several outfits I’d style them with in my own wardrobe. I’ll have to think about it more, but this was a very compelling read.
They harken me back to my high school ModCloth era that I’m embarrassed by in retrospect, but l think they’re actually easier to style than loafers where I always feel like I’m wearing the wrong socks
the photos of mick <3 bert from sesame street <3 audrey horne <3 they always used to remind me of bowling shoes, but now they definitely feel nostalgic for late 2000s twee aesthetics, worn with over-the-knee american apparel socks
My favourite shoes apart form the loafer/boater! They remind me of the 40s/50s college style and twin peaks 🌲☕️
I just got my Norman’s, now I’m thinking I’ll hop back in and get the saddle shoes? Also “flunk-out girl scout who ranked lowest in her cohort for thin mint sales” sent me and describes my off duty style to a T
the normans are perfect for showing off cute socks!
Reminds me of a sock hop.. the ones that schools used to throw (baby Gen X/Elder millennial here) 🖤🤍
I believe saddle shoes are going to make a big comeback I know that I wear them and I think it's very encouraging that Sarah Jessica Parker wears them there are some other Hollywood people that wear them too. And you look very beautiful in your saddle shoes I think you look really cute in them. But overall yes I do think they're going to make a comeback more and more people are wearing them once again
Just purchased a pair of vintage eastland saddle shoes from Depop. It was your article plus my aunt who was sporting a pair when we went shopping together this past weekend that did me in.
I complimented hers, a suede black and steely metallic combo and she reminded me that it was I who convinced her to buy them ten years prior while shopping at Akira Chicago.
Thank you for writing this article, it was fascinating! 🖤
so fun! love that you and your aunt have matching shoes now.
Ive always associated saddle shoes with 50’s sock hop aesthetic. I just purchased a pair of vintage eastland saddle shoes from Depop. It was your article plus my aunt who was sporting a pair when we went shopping together this past weekend that did me in.
I complimented hers, a suede black and steely metallic combo and she reminded me that it was I who convinced her to buy them ten years prior while shopping together at Akira Chicago.
Thanks for writing this article, it was fascinating! 🖤