Where to Buy Women's Saddle Shoes & Oxfords - Your Vintage Shoe Guide
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Saddle shoes history, vintage saddle shoes outfits, what to look for in saddle shoes, and where to buy saddle shoes and oxfords.
This post is all about womens saddle shoes & oxfords
Whether you're looking to go full rockabilly at a sock hop, or simply want to add some vintage modern style, retro saddle shoes and oxfords are the answer!
We love their timeless style and the cheeky color pop they add to any outfit.
It's no wonder these were favorites of Old Hollywood, adorning famous feet from Marilyn Monroe to Elvis Presley.
Today we'll dive into the nostalgic history of saddle shoes, show a few of our favorite vintage outfits, discuss the top tips for how to find the perfect pair, and share a few of our favorite shops where you can buy them today.
Women's Saddle Oxford Shoes - A Brief History
Why are these shoes called saddle shoes?
These women's shoes are called saddle shoes because the contrasting piece of leather across the top of the shoe looks like a horse riding saddle.
Interestingly saddle shoes were introduced as a sports shoe for men in the early twentieth century.
At first male athletes loved these shoes, but soon school girls and cheerleaders, and then women fell in love with them.
Below: Old Hollywood actress, Dorothy Jordan, paired her saddle oxfords with dresses in the 1930 film Love in the Rough. In this film about romance and golf, her fabulous chic style oozes sophistication and femininity.
If you love casual 1930s fashion, you might also like:
Casual 1930s Fashion - Your Guide to Casual 30s Outfits
Besides being popular for sports, saddle oxfords were a favorite golf shoe style, general leisure wear style, and great dance shoe.
What a perfect shoe style for the popular big band swing dances during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.
Even the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley wore saddle oxfords in his 1957 smash hit Jailhouse Rock. (image below)
Don't he look just oh so fabulous? The white pop of color from his oxfords adds a sizzle to his black outfit.
We aren't the only ones still mesmerized by this style, just check out the faces of those 50s ladies!
In the 1940s through the 1960s, ladies had fabulous two-toned color options for saddle shoes.
These included white and navy, white and green, brown, and white, red / burgundy and white.
Other vintage color combinations included dark and light browns and tans and browns.
Below, fashion icon Wallis Simpson wears saddle shoes paired with a pencil skirt and blouse in the 1930s.
Below: Rita Hayworth wears two toned oxfords with a skirt and blouse (left). Marilyn Monroe sizzles in her oxfords paired with shorts and a blouse.
If you love these vintage summer outfits, you might like:
Best Vintage Inspired Summer Outfit Ideas from Old Hollywood
Helpful Tips When Shopping for Vintage Saddle Oxford Shoes
These are the six most important considerations to keep in mind when shopping for your dream pair of saddle shoes.
1. Does the style and color scream true retro? Is it a 1930s inspired saddle shoe or a 1950s inspired saddle shoe that make your heart sing? Which color duo is magical for you (pink and white, burgundy and white, or the classic black and white)?
2. What is your price and budget? Before embarking on this nostalgic treasure hunt, decide how you will balance your "must haves" vs your "wish list."
3. What level of quality is important? Are the saddle shoes made with high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship? Do they have memory foam inside? What about breathable lining so that your feet can breathe and sing?
4. What's your "magic number" for the perfect Cinderella fit? Do your feet need a half size, wide width, arch support, or extra cushion! Happy feet = happy adventures! And remember to double-check sizing as Europe sizes can be different than U.S. sizing.
5. What is the return policy? Many stores and small businesses offer different return polices, so double-check the return and exchange options for each vendor. Since shoe sizing is tricky, it make take a try or two to get it right. Remember your date of purchase and make those returns quickly, as a 45-day return policy is rare.
6. What is the shipping policy? Is the shoe company local or international? If it is shipping internationally, double-check duties information. Also, are there shipping rates and shipment time period windows? Most companies ships Monday-Friday.
5 Places to buy women’s saddle shoes
Ready to pull the trigger and recreate this vintage modern style? Here are some shoe companies that offer great retro saddle shoes.
We love the eye popping color combinations from the Mona Flying.
Their two-tone designs and large selection of shoes include half size options and white lace-up saddle shoe styles.
Not only do they have leather uppers, but they are 100% leather. They have a wide range of women's size options and fair price points.
The Eastland brand is a good budget friendly option, especially for the classic black and white saddle oxford style.
Other options include navy and white, tan and white, and even a two tone tan suede style.
Their memory foam insole means that you have padded leather foot bed. They offer smaller size options, as well as half size styles, and even wide sizes.
Etsy has fabulous exclusive content, including custom shoes. Its wide range of sellers offer a number of fabulous women's shoes made with high-quality materials.
The options range from custom-made shoes to more affordable styles.
If you're looking for a true vintage pair of shoes that is still in its original condition (and original packaging), you may be in luck.
Friendly reminder! A lot of the stores and small businesses offer different return polices, so double-check the return options for each Etsy vendor you're considering.
This fast fashion brand offers some adorable saddle oxford styles at affordable price points.
Whether you are looking for flat shoes, platform styles, or tan with a white sole, you're sure to find the perfect pair.
Check their sales, as they often discount from their regular price points.
ModCloth is another fast fashion store that carries a large selection of affordable and unique vintage outfits and footwear.
They inevitably carry classic white saddle shoes, but since the inventory changes alot, with new arrivals, you'll want to check their website for the latest selection.
They currently are selling a white oxford shoe with a subtle platform design that would be so cute for dance class. No wonder this classic oxford style is a favorite for a Grease stage plays.
Friendly reminder! Check their return and exchange policy for the return shipping cost and whether free exchanges apply. Their return and exchange policy varies by location, especially for domestic vs international returns.
This post was all about womens saddle shoes
What saddle shoe styles are your favorite?
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