Pretty My Feet (for boys & girls)

1. Black & Silver 1930s Oxfords, by Aris Allen, 2. Black & White Spat Style Wingtips, by Aris Allen, 3. Black Closed Back Wedge, by Aris Allen, 4. White Cap Toe, by Aris Allen, 5. Red 1930s Velvet Oxford, by Aris Allen, 6. Black & White Lindyhopper Strap, by Bleyer, 7. Classic Saddle Shoes, by Bleyer, 8. Brown & White Spat Style Wingtips, by Aris Allen, 9. Black & White Matte Swing Shoes, by Bleyer. (from top left)

I remember when it used to be very difficult to find a pair of shoes with just the right kind of vintage look. Of course there's the option of just buying vintage shoes, but most of these, unless you're lucky enough to come across dead stock, really won't stand up to everyday wear and tear for very long. When I came across beautiful vintage shoes that (gasp!) fit my very large feet, I was always careful to save them for special occasions. That's not to mention the fact that some vintage shoes really put beauty before comfort. Often when wearing my vintage shoes I'd be smiling on the outside and crying on the inside after a few hours...

Well those were the old days! Now there's so much vintage inspired footwear that my only problem is the fact that I can't buy them all. Oh, and sometimes they are really expensive...

Here's where dancing shoes come in. If you've heard of Lindyhop (more generally known as swing dancing), then you'll know that it's the dance of the 30s and 40s, which naturally demands a similar style in dress. The benefit to buying dance shoes is: not only are they often exact copies of vintage shoes, they've been designed for comfort. Yes, these babies are made to be hopped around in for hours, if not days. As a dancer, I can personally attest to the comfort and quality of the two brands (Bleyer and Aris Allen) featured in my little collage. Also, compared to normal shoes, they are either very competitively priced, or just about the same. They are also built to last the kind of abuse we put them through on the dancefloor - so everyday wear is no problem.

It's important to note that Bleyer shoes have rubber soles which are good for dancing and for trotting around on your daily business. Aris Allens may have suede or raw leather soles - these will be too slippery for everyday wear (unless you enjoy skating on the polished floors of your bank or office?) - however, buy them anyway, and take them to a cobbler who'll happily resole them for you in a material of your choice for a small sum.

One last thing - Bleyer doesn't sell directly to customers from their website. The links I have provided are to various online vendors. Try to google Bleyer and your area of residence to see what comes up. Alternatively, look for lindyhoppers or swing dancers in your area - and they may be able to put you onto where to get some bleyers locally.