Figure 1.--This photo was taken in 1959 in Culver City, California. These brothers had three different choices about the footwear. At the time open-toe sandals were the less common ones for boys. It looks like they may be on a farm. Going barefoot on a farm was common, but sandals were not.

American boys tended to wear sturdy leather oxfords to school in the 1950s. Girls also wore them, but they also wore less sturdy strap shoes. Both black and brown were worn. Saddle shoes were also popular. Both boys and girls wore saddle shoes, but they were most popular with the girls. Most boys and many girls had sneakers as well, but did not commonly wear them to school. They were very popular for play. High-top Keds were particularly popular, often worn with jeans. Girls and younger boys had red low-cut Keds. Loafers were a popular preppy style in the 1950s and 60s. Boys and girls wore them. Sneakers were mostly worn for play until well after World War II, but eventually become the primary style for children, especially boys. Penny loafers were a popular style. Children no longer commonly went barefoot, but we see some children barefoot in the early-50s. Sandals weee not very popular for boys. Pre-school boys might wear them, but we do not see boys wearing them at school. Girls wore them as well as strap shoes. I rember a girl I liked in school wore red twin-bar strap shoes. I don't recall boys wearing sandals, but I think that a few boys wore them in California.

Shoe Types

The basic sturdy oxford was the primary shoes worn by American boys in the 1950s. Thy were worn to school and also for dressing up and as a casual shoe. Both black and brown were worn, but brown was the most common. We also see two tine shoes, brown or black oxfords with white tops. White high-top shoes were worn by toddlers. Saddle shoes were also popular. They were at first introduced as a sport casual shoe and this continued to be the case in the 50s, but we begin to see younger boys wearing them as a dress shoe. s. Loafers were a popular preppy style in the 1950s and 60s. Boys and girls wore them, mostly teenagers. There were different styles Penny loafers were a popular style. Sneakers were widely worn and growing in popularity, but were not yet commonly worn to school. There were differet styles and colors for boys and girls. Sneakrs were mostly worn for play until well after World War II, but eventually become the primary style for children, especially boyy. Sandals were not very popular for boys. Pre-school boys wore them in part because toeing shoe laces was complicated for little hnds. Girls of all ages wore them. Strap shoes by the 50s were almot entirely for girls.

Barefeet

Children no longer commonly went barefoot, but we see some children barefoot in the early-50s. And we see a gender shift. The photographic record shows boys more likely to go barefoot than girls. Here are primary source is school photogrphy, especially rural schools where going barefoot was most common. This hnged by the 1950s. Few children went barefoot to school. But we see many girls in casual snapshots going barefoot for play, picnics, and other casual events. The boys were more likely to wear shoes.

Usage

American boys tended to wear sturdy leather oxfords for most occassions. Boys stil wore them to school in the 1950s. We even see them worn for play and at camp. Girls also wore them to school, but they also wore less sturdy strap shoes. Sneakers were very popular, but for play. High-top bkack Keds were particularly popular among the boys, often worn with jeans. Girls and younger boys often wore red low-cut Keds.

Age

Age was a factor in footwear. Most American boys wore leather low-cut oxfords by school age. Some girls wore them, but almost all boys did with few exceprions. Saddle shoes were a style that had wide usage across age and gender lines. Sneakers were also popular for schoolage children, but not for school. Until the 50s they were not widely worn by teenagers, except for gym classes in school and basketball. Todlers often wore white-hightops. They were considered healthy for younger feet. Pre-school boys might wear sandals, but we do not see boys wearing them at school. One reason that sandals and strap shoes were worn by younger children is that the task of learning to tie shoes laces is not easy. Younger boys also wore low-cut oxfords, but had to depend on parents to tie their laces. It is one reason that sneakers ar not as common for pre-school children as they are for school-age children in the 50s. This was a problem for many 1st Graders when they began school. I recall this as a major problem. Only at about age 5-6 years do most children learn to tie their own shoe laces, some a little longer. Girls seem a little quicker to pick up the skill at first. Putting on sndals is something that younger children can master. Older boys might wear loafers. They seem most popular wuth teenagers.

Gender

Both boys and girls wore saddle shoes, but they were most popular with the girls. Most boys and many girls had sneakers as well. Girls commonly wore sandals as well as strap shoes. I rember a girl I liked in school wore red twin-bar strap shoes. I don't recall boys wearing sandals, but I think that a few boys wore them in California.

Created: 5:52 PM 10/29/2007
Last updated: 4:33 AM 10/2/2017