Are saddle shoes in style? We definitely think they’re a timeless yet distinctive piece of footwear, making an outfit stand out, while still being casual. These shoes have a rich and fascinating history, evolving from practical athletic footwear to iconic fashion staples.

Why are they called saddle shoes?

Saddle shoes are a distinctive style of footwear characterized by a contrasting "saddle-shaped" strip of leather that arches over the instep and sometimes wraps around the heel. They were introduced in the early 1900s, originally designed as a type of athletic footwear. They were inspired by oxford-style shoes but incorporated the saddle-shaped overlay for added durability and support. They were initially marketed as a sport shoe for activities like golf, tennis, and other recreational pursuits. The sturdy leather saddle added structural integrity to the shoe, making it more durable for physical activity.

Fashionable Everyday Wear

By the 1930s, saddle shoes transitioned from sportswear to casual everyday footwear for men, women, and children. They were often worn with school uniforms, becoming especially popular among young people. The most classic style featured a white leather body with a black or brown leather saddle. Over time, variations appeared, including two-tone color combinations and textured saddles. By the 1940s, saddle shoes were widely associated with the “preppy” look, worn by students in schools and colleges. They became a staple for American teens, representing neatness, youth, and wholesome fashion.

A classic 1940s inspired look with pants, featuring my two tone Grace spectators and my Lisbeth cardigan.

What year were saddle shoes popular?

Saddle shoes reached their height in the 1950s, thanks to their association with youth culture and rock 'n' roll. They were particularly favored by young women, often paired with bobby socks and poodle skirts for a quintessential 1950s look. Celebrities and cultural influences helped solidify their popularity. For example, characters in movies and TV shows often wore saddle shoes, cementing their role in pop culture. 

Saddle shoes for dancing

Saddle shoes became synonymous with dance-ready footwear. Their flat soles and comfortable design made them ideal for jitterbugging, swing dancing, and other high-energy activities, and was often seen on teens dancing in more casual settings. Today saddle shoes and two tones are still a popular choice for swing dancers around the world, to give that retro feel when dancing. 

Decline and Resurgence

As fashion trends shifted in the 1960s, saddle shoes began to lose favor. Loafers, sneakers, and other modern styles replaced them in the wardrobes of younger generations, but the saddle shoes never fully disappeared. They experienced periodic resurgences as part of retro and vintage-inspired fashion. During the 1980s and 1990s, saddle shoes became popular again, particularly among fans of vintage Americana and rockabilly subcultures.

The wonderful @strawberrystarlette and @daveetheewave wearing my Elliot saddle shoes in a stylish 1940's ensemble. 

What is a saddle shoe?

1. Saddle Design:
• A contrasting leather panel resembling a "saddle," often in darker or textured colors.
2. Two-Tone Look:
• Traditional designs featured a white base with black or brown saddles, but variations included more colorful combinations.
3. Flat Sole:
• A durable, low heel with a rubber or leather sole, perfect for casual and active use.
4. Association with Youth Culture:
• The shoes are strongly tied to the energy and style of the mid-20th-century youth, particularly in the United States.

What are two toned shoes called?

Two-toned shoes are footwear that features two distinct colors in their design, creating a contrasting or complementary visual effect. The term is broad and encompasses many styles of shoes, from formal to casual, across various types of construction and materials.

What is the difference between saddle shoes and spectators?

The saddle shoe and the spectator shoe are both iconic vintage footwear styles that often feature contrasting colors, but they differ significantly in design, history, and use. They both go under the category of Two Toned shoes, but differs in several ways: 

Saddle Shoe

Saddle shoes are generally characterized by a contrasting saddle-shaped leather panel that spans across the instep (midfoot) and may extend to the heel. The saddle is typically darker than the rest of the shoe, which is often white or a lighter color or different material, like suede. 

They’re typically a low-heeled Oxford shoe with a closed lacing system, and the color combinations are often black or brown, but other combinations exist. 

It was introduced in the early 1900s, originally designed as an athletic shoe, designed for sports like golf and tennis and later became a casual shoe. By the 1940s and 1950s, it became a youth fashion staple, especially in American schools, and was quickly associated with preppy fashion, bobby socks, and 1950s teen culture.

It is primarily casual; suitable for everyday wear and sports and commonly worn with school uniforms, casual outfits, or retro/vintage styles and designed with practicality and durability in mind.

Our saddle shoe, Elliot, is inspired by 1950s youth culture saddle shoes, and comes in a unisex version, made for both men and women. It is made of suede and features cognac brown full-grain leather with a brogue pattern on the backstay and around the vamp. The outsole is crafted from lightweight rubber with white stitching on the welt. The Oxford closed lacing makes it a typical saddle shoe of the era. 

 

Spectator Shoe

The spectator shoe on the other hand features a two-tone color scheme with a contrasting toe cap, heel, and sometimes the quarters or vamp. It has no saddle-shaped panel; the color placement is typically on the front (toe) and back (heel) of the shoe.

It is seen as a more formal shoe, and is typically a Derby shoe, with an open lacing in the front. Traditionally it is made in white or cream with black, brown, or other darker colors, but many combinations are possible. It was introduced in late 1800s to early 1900s, evolving as a dress shoe for semi-formal occasions.It was initially intended as a dressy shoe for "spectating" at outdoor events like cricket or horse racing.

Sectators rose in popularity in the 1920s-1930s jazz era, often seen as a stylish option for fashionable men as a semi-formal to formal shoe; worn with suits or dress trousers. It has a sleeker and more refined look compared to the casual saddle shoe.

Our Grace shoe is a classic two tone spectator shoe in brown and white. It features a full-brogue pattern, shoelaces with tassels for closure, an almond-shaped toe cap and an open Derby lacing, classic for spectator shoes.