Figure 1.--These American boys appear to have been photographed in the late-1930s. Noticevthat the sandaks seem more substanhtial thanthe barefoot sandaks we see at the beginning of the decade. They wear short white socks with their sandals. Note how the one boy's socks are cuffed down.

I have not yet acquired any historical information on closed toe sandals in America. The limited information I have comes from an analysis of available photographs. I have not noted sandals in the 19th Century. The images I have suggest that this type of footware was introduced in the 1900s or 1910s, although some may have been available in the 1900s. Sandals By the 1920s they were increasingly viewed by boys a style for very little boys or girls and the popularity declined. They were worn by some Americans boys, although they were not popular with them, until the 1960s.Trends varied around the country. One HBC contributor growing up in Washungton, DC during the 1950s rarely saw boys wearing sandals. One HBC contributor reports, "I remember in the 60s seeing boys as old as 10 wearing closed end sandals on Long Island, New York. This occurred only in the warm months, late Spring throughout the summer and it was not just for dressy occassions. It was not so common that everyone wore them, however, no one was teased about it so it was not so uncommon. I believe the younger the boy the more common it was to wear the closed end sandals and as we entered school and played in sneakers it became less common. By the late 60s, I do not recall anyone but boys 5, maybe 6 and under wearing them." HBC believes that the varying observations by these sources is largely a reflection of social class. Boys from more affluent families were much more likely to wear sandals than boys growing up in more modest circumstances. Closed toe sandals have rarely been seen as boys wear since the 1980s, although they continue to be a popular girls' style.

The 19th Century

I have not noted sandals in the 19th Century. Boys did wear strap shoes and dancing pumps. They were rather formal shoes. I have not noted them wearing sandals which are more of a play shoe. There may have been some in the late 1890s, but I have not yet notice them.

The 20th Century

Early 20th century (1900-19)

The images I have suggest that this type of footware was introduced in the 1900s. I have prrimarity noticed closed-toe sandals in the 1910s, although some may have been available during the 1900s. A good example is James Urnsby, we think in the 1910s. Sandals seem to have been primarily a play shoe, but we note some mothers using them with dressy outfits, often with white stockingso socks. A good example is John Koch, we think in the late-1910s. This is complicated by the fact that sandals were commonly worn by children from affluent families and these children commonly dressed more formaly this is common today. Sandals appear to have been a European style imported to America. Quite a number of younger boys appear to have worn them in the 1910s. They were worn withba variety of hosiery from long stockings to short socks. American boys rarely wore them without socks of some kind.

Inter-war and war years (1920-45)

Sandals By the 1920s they were increasingly viewed by boys a style for very little boys or girls and the popularity declined. You do not see boys wearing them to school, possibly with a few exceotions at private schools. They also appear to have been worn mostly by boys from affluent families. After World War I, boys who wore sandals increasingly wore them with short socks. Occasionally they may wear kneesocks, but rarely did they wear sandals with long sockings.

Post-war era (1945-69)

They were worn by some Americans boys, although they were not popular with them, until the 1960s. Trends varied around the country. One HBC contributor growing up in Washungton, DC during the 1950s rarely saw boys wearing sandals. One HBC contributor reports, "I remember in the 60s seeing boys as old as 10 wearing closed end sandals on Long Island, New York. This occurred only in the warm months, late Spring throughout the summer and it was not just for dressy occassions. It was not so common that everyone wore them, however, no one was teased about it so it was not so uncommon. I believe the younger the boy the more common it was to wear the closed end sandals and as we entered school and played in sneakers it became less common. By the late 60s, I do not recall anyone but boys 5, maybe 6 and under wearing them." HBC believes that the varying observations by these sources is largely a reflection of social class. Boys from more affluent families were much more likely to wear sandals than boys growing up in more modest circumstances. John F. Kennedy Jr. in the 1960s was the last American boy I remember wearing closed-toe sandals, presumably because of his mother's preference for European fashions.

Late 20th century (1970-99)

Closed toe sandals have rarely been seen as boys wear since the 1980s, although they continue to be a popular girls' style.

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Created: May 17, 2001
Last updated: 4:15 AM 7/10/2013