Figure 1.-- This snapshot is undated, but looks to be taken in the 1920s. A note on the back reads, "This is me and 2 of the boys. It is not very good of the one as he did not want him taken so he is making a face". Note both boys are wearing sneakers.

Most American boys wore leather shoes in both the 19th and 20th centuries. Early shoes were not made with differentiated left and right pairs. They were often not very comfortable. This is one reason many boys preferred to go barefott in the summer. We note a wide range of different styles as shoes became increasingly stylish. Buckle shoes were an early style. High top shoes dominated in the late 19th century and were widely worn until after World War I. We note both button shoes and lace up shoes. Younger boys in the 19th century sometimes wore low-cut shoes. Low cut styles began to become more popular in the 1920s, although younger boys continued wearing high-top shoes which were seen as offering more support. . There were many different styles, including loafers, oxfords, and saddle shoes. Styles were similar to those in Europe. One major exception was sneakers at first made with canvas whch appeared in the 1910s and became an important style in America during the 1920s. The sturdy basic brown oxford became a standard for school children, both boys and girls. Most footwear types were inherited from Europe, sneakers and saddles shoes seem an exception. Important preppy styles were both loafers and Sperry topsiders. High top sneakers dominated through the 1950s. Sneakers did not become a fashion statement until the 1960s when low cut styles became more popular. They developed into one of the most popular items for teens. The budget-priced sneaker became expebsive items coveted by teens.

Chronology

Most American boys wore leather shoes in both the 19th and 20th centuries. I don't think wooden shoes were ever commonly worn in America. Buckle shoes were worn in the 18th centtury. We notice mostly low-cut shoes in the early 19th century, but high-top shoes were more common in the late 19th century. High-top shoes were a first button shoes. We also see strap shoes for children. The number of straps varied. High-top shoes continued to be popular after the turn of the 20th century. Button shoes disappeared as lace ups become standard. We note sandals in the early 20th century, but they did not prove very popular. Much more popular with American boys were sneakers, canvass shoes with rubber soles, which first appeared in the 1910s. High tops leater shoes gradually gave way to low-cut shoes in the 1920s. Brown oxfords became a standard for bots abd 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. Most American children by the turn-of-the 21st century motly wore sneakers, although sandals had become more popular.

Construction

Early shoes were not made with differentiated left and right pairs. They were often not very comfortable. This is one reason many boys preferred to go barefott in the summer.

Types

We note a wide range of different types and styles as shoes became increasingly stylish. Buckle shoes were an early style. High top shoes dominated in the late 19th century and were widely worn until after World War I. We note both button shoes and lace up shoes. Younger boys in the 19th century sometimes wore low-cut shoes. Low cut styles began to become more popular in the 1920s, although younger boys continued wearing high-top shoes which were seen as offering more support. There were many different styles, including loafers, oxfords, and saddle shoes. Styles were similar to those in Europe. One major exception was sneakers at first made with canvas whch appeared in the 1910s and became an important style in America during the 1920s. The sturdy basic brown oxford became a standard for school children, both boys and girls. Most footwear types were inherited from Europe, sneakers and saddles shoes seem an exception. Important preppy styles were both loafers and Sperry topsiders. High top sneakers dominated through the 1950s. Sneakers did not become a fashion statement until the 1960s when low cut styles became more popular. They developed into one of the most popular items for teens. The budget-priced sneaker became expebsive items coveted by teens.

Age

One factor affecting the type of shoe worn has been the child's age. This has varied over time. We note in the 19th century younger childer wearing low-cut shoes, often strap shoes, and older children wearing high-top shoes. Than in the moid-20th century we see younger children wearing high-top shoes, often white, and older boys wearing low-cut oxfords. Over time there have been various types of shoes and style seen as suitable for various age groups. At time children most wore the same styles and at other times age difference were quite notable. Generally strap shoes gave been viewed as primarily suitable for girls and younger boys. Low-cut and high-top shoes habe been worn by boys of all ages more in connection with changing styles than ages.

Gender

Created: 6:52 PM 9/28/2007
Last updated: 6:51 AM 10/27/2008