Hello!
I am a vintage shoe fanatic! I just love the
craftsmanship found in older shoes and also the fact that no one else
will ever be wearing the same pair as me - gives my style a unique
edge. Most pairs in my collection (and it is a museum worthy
collection, not just a few pairs) were acquired right here on
okay!
One of my pet peeves is when people mis-list the decade. Shame on
you! Do your homework! If they are inspired by a decade,
then it's totally acceptable, because vintage has inspired plenty of
newer retro looks - but you need to say "inspired." Listing
a pair of platforms from the 90's and passing them off as genuine
vintage 70's is a crime! Some dealers simply don't know, because
their stock varies or aren't as well versed as some as the buyers; some
want to make a quick buck. I am an okay seller AND a buyer, so I
tend to specialize and know my merchandise; most dealers do not.
As a buyer, you need to be able to spot whats real and what's a fake,
to protect yourself. There is nothing worse than getting your
heart set on a pair, waiting for them to arrive, tear open that box and
then realize those Disco Platforms are infact cheap Payless
knock-offs. I am going to list off some of the tips I use to
determine age.
First off, there is nothing wrong with retro platform shoes from the
90's! John Fluevog put out those fab bell heel platforms that
Lady Miss Kier sported in that Dee-Lite video and those will NEVER be
out of fashion! Fluevog also makes a quality shoe, so you can
count on wearing those for 30 years with the aid of a proper cobbler or
shoe repair. You must must must have your shoes polished, oiled
and pampered if you want them to last and leather shoes will last
forever if you keep them supple. So ask around and do a little
research to find a reputable professional and take those babies in
every year, depending on how often you wear them, of course.
Store them with tissue stuffed in them to maintain the shape, and avoid
letting them get dusty. Mine are stored prominently on a display
shelf, but I'm a little umm...enthusiastic!
If the shoes are for a costume, then using retro repros is totally fine
- you still must say "70's style," not "70's." Retro repros might
be in better condition, which will fit your situation better anyhow, so
don't dismiss anything that is not authentic if it's to be used for one
day or for a school play or something. I get teary eyed thinking
of people destroying vintage shoes and clothing in the name of
Halloween - that is what retro reproductions are for!!! Make your
Dead Prom Queen costume, covered in fake blood, out of a newer second
hand garment instead of ripping up that 50's ball gown and kitten
heels! So selling repros is not a bad thing, but sellers please
remember that they aren't worth as much, so be realistic with your
pricing, unless they are a collectable designer label.
The most obvious way of distinguishing retro versus vintage, is that
most shoes had their maker printed directly on the insole since the
70's and older.
I have seen actual cloth tags sewn into some 1930's and early 1940's
shoes, but generally the maker was printed onto the insole.
They did not glue cloth tags inside the shoes till the 80's and 90's;
therefore if your platform shoes have glued on labels, they are
probably newer retro versions - not true vintage.
If they are tags that are sewn in, you could possibly have a 30's pair
or possibly a 70's pair, but it's rare and unusual. Best way to
determine it is by always showing a pic of the insole, so the buyer can
see - I can spot a repro a mile a way. If you misrepresent your
era by passing the shoes off as genuine, then you are selling a
fraudelent item and will be liable for a full refund. So take
that extra pic as insurance to protect you and your buyer.
Most vintage shoes had leather soles up to the 50's.
They then started using synthetic soles on occasion, but usually with vinyl or patent leather shoes.
Quality shoes were made in Spain or Brazil (sometimes spelled Brasil)
and had leather soles; a lot of vintage 70's platform shoes were such
works of art, that many of them came with leather soles - but not
all.
One rule is that newer shoes gee with that clear plastic sticker on
them, the one with the size or country it was made in - vintage do
not.
Vintage shoes also were never made in China, that is something that is relatively new as well.
The materials newer soles are made of is different as well, but it's
almost never that tan - off white color stuff, the older shoes were
black or brown, usually made to simulate leather, but after a few
wears, was lighter underneath, sometimes a yellowish brown color.
Hard to describe, but I'm doing my best! ; )
It's best to include a pic of the sole, it helps the buyer confirm the
age and see what kind of condition they are in. Check to see if
the sole is pulling away from the shoe or if there is cracks or worn
spots. Of course they are going to be worn, but if they are so
worn that they are going to need replacing, then the buyer needs to be
aware, as that is a costly project! I received a pair this summer
only to be disappointed by a large crack in each shoe, right across the
ball of the foot, rendering them unwearable. It took me a week at
the cobbler and $30 to make them wearable, which I might not have done
had I known about said condition! For 70's platform shoes, I will
have new soles put on without batting an eye, as they are like works of
art. It's my little bit of good karma to rejuvinate vintage
platform shoes and let them back out into the world!
Lastly, try and remember the makers of some of your better shoes, so
you can do a search and find another pair by the same maker.
Qualicraft, Town and Country, Terri DeHaviland, Cherokee, Famolare and
several more are on my search list. It's also good to know what
brands are newer, so you don't get duped. Classified is NOT a
vintage brand, but a 90's brand that reproduced vintage looking
platform shoes, which are obviously worth much less.
Ok, I hope that helps!
Please check my auctions for vintage clothing
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