Women's Traditional Leather Folk Costume Shoes

Women's Traditional Leather Folk Costume Shoes with Instep Strap

Historical Context and Practical Application

Shoes of this type, characterised by a rounded toe and a strap across the instep (often referred to as the Mary Jane style), began to appear more prominently during the 19th century. They quickly gained popularity across all social classes for their practicality, elegance, and comfort. They became an essential part of many European folk costumes, in both work and festive variations. Today, you will find them incredibly useful not only for folklore performances and village feasts but also for 19th and early 20th-century historical reenactments, theatrical plays, period balls, or themed LARPs.

Construction and Safety

These shoes are meticulously sewn from high-quality black cowhide leather, which will beautifully adapt to the shape of your foot after a short period of wearing. They feature a very comfortable, low stacked leather heel. To prevent dangerous falls, which are a common risk with purely smooth historical leather soles on modern surfaces, the bottom of these shoes is equipped with a thin layer of rubber with a subtle tread. This modern adaptation increases your safety and prevents unwanted slipping on wooden dance floors, smooth tiles, or wet grass.

Caring for Your Leather Shoes

When the shoes arrive from our workshop, they are already treated with a high-quality leather balm containing beeswax. To ensure the leather retains its suppleness and does not crack, it needs regular care. After every event, clean off any dirt with a damp cloth and let them air dry naturally at room temperature. Under no circumstances should you dry them on a radiator or near an open flame! Regularly treat the leather with a leather balm, oil, or standard shoe polish. The balm nourishes and waterproofs the leather (bear in mind that the leather may darken slightly). Additionally, black shoe polish makes it easy to mask minor scuffs and scuffed toes from dancing.

Standard Sizing and Custom Tailoring

The shoes are available in standard EU sizes. If you have an atypical foot, we can have them made to measure just for you. If you wear orthopaedic insoles and choose the custom-made option, it is absolutely necessary to send these insoles to us in advance. The shoemaker will fit them exactly into the shoes, so you can look forward to footwear that fits you like a glove. Please note that the height of the shoe (the cut) and the heel height unfortunately cannot be altered.

Technical Specifications of the Shoes