Red Embossed Leather Gothic Poulaines with Anti-Slip Soles

Red Embossed Leather Gothic Poulaines with Anti-Slip Soles

Historical Context and Symbolism

Shoes with strikingly elongated toes, known historically as poulaines or crakows, experienced their greatest boom from the second half of the 14th century to the early 15th century. During the High Gothic period, the length of the toe often symbolised the social standing and wealth of the wearer – the longer the toe, the higher the status, as such footwear made heavy manual labour virtually impossible. The deep red colour, often obtained from expensive kermes dyes, was extremely rare at this time and strictly reserved for the wealthiest elite, nobility, or high-ranking church officials. The finely embossed geometric pattern featuring small crosses only amplifies this overall impression of grandeur.

Usage and Safety Instructions

These traditionally lasted leather shoes with practical front lacing are perfectly suited for opulent period costumes. You can wear them to historical festivals, medieval banquets, live-action role-playing games (LARP), or for cosplay and theatrical purposes. The leather sole is underlaid with a thin layer of anti-slip rubber, which represents an ideal compromise between historical accuracy and modern safety. The rubber prevents unpleasant slipping on wet grass, cobblestones, or smooth castle floors. Although the shoes are well-crafted, remember that the long pointed toe requires a little practice when walking. Avoid running in difficult terrain or participating in full-contact combat while wearing them, as the toes could easily get scuffed, or you might trip and injure yourself. Any other clothing or accessories shown in the photographs are not included.

Caring for Leather Footwear

The shoes are crafted from sturdy cowhide leather, which requires regular care to remain supple over time and to retain its vibrant colour. Straight from the workshop, the footwear is carefully treated with a beeswax leather balsam. After each wear, we recommend cleaning the shoes of dust and mud using a soft, damp cloth. Once they have dried naturally, apply a high-quality leather balsam to nourish and waterproof the material (please note that natural leather may darken slightly after balsam application). If you notice minor scuffs on the delicate pointed toes, you can easily cover them up and even out the colour using a standard red-tinted shoe polish. Never dry the shoes directly by an open fire or on a hot radiator, as the leather could harden and crack irreversibly.

Technical Specifications

Along with these luxurious shoes, we highly recommend purchasing high-quality linen or woollen hose and a period-accurate tunic to create an absolutely perfect and authentic medieval ensemble.

• These shoes are available in standard EUR sizes. If you select the size "made-to-measure", they will be manufactured according to this measurement chart. Please fill it in after you finish your order.