High-top shoes continued to be popular after the turn of the 20th century. Button shoes disappeared as lace ups become standard. Younger children night wear strap shoes. There were two different types, ankle straps and instep straps. We note sandals in the early 20th century. The barefoot sandals were worn in the 1910s, but they did not prove very popular with boys. Much more popular with American boys were sneakers, canvass shoes with rubber soles, which first appeared in the 1910s. They a first were high-tops. Low cut sneakers did not beccome the standard style until the 1960s. High top leather shoes gradually gave way to low-cut shoes after the 1920s. Brown oxfords became a standard for boys and girls. Another popular style were saddle shoes. Important preppy styles were both loafers and Sperry topsiders. Sneakers were budget shoes for boys until the 1960s when they began to become fashion statements. Leather shoes by the 1980s were giving way to sneakers for both play and school.

The 1900s

High-top shoes continued to be popular after the turn of the 20th century. Button shoes disappeared as lace ups become standard. Younger children night wear strap shoes. There were two different types, ankle straps and instep straps.

Figure 2.--This Orangeburg, South Carolina family was photographed in 1915. Ankle strap shoes were still popular for younger boys un the 1910s.

The 1910s

Younger boys cmight ear strap shoes. The ankle-type were still populsar in the 1910s. We note sandals in the early 20th century. The barefoot sandals were worn in the 1910s, but they did not prove very popular with boys. Much more popular with American boys were sneakers, canvass shoes with rubber soles, which first appeared in the 1910s. Sneakers at first were high-tops. Low cut sneakers did not beccome the standard style until the 1960s.

The 1930s

High top leather shoes gradually gave way to low-cut shoes after the 1920s. Brown oxfords became a standard for boys and girls. Another popular style were saddle shoes. Sneakers were a major style, mostly for play or outdoor activities with school-age boys.

The 1940s

Two tone broiwn and white oxfords were popular n the 1940s.

The 1950s

Leather oicfords were still the sandard school shoe. Important preppy styles were both loafers and Sperry topsiders. Sneakers were stillbudget shoes for boys. Black high-tops were the most common.

The 1960s

Major changed occurred in footwear fasgions during the 1960s. Leather shoes were still standard at the beginning of the decade. Sneakers began to be fashion statements during the 1960s. Sandals wre not commoin for boys, but some boys from wealhy families wore them like the Kennedys.

The 1980s

Leather shoes by the 1980s were giving way to sneakers for both play and school.

Created: 5:34 PM 3/31/2008
Last updated: 5:34 PM 3/31/2008