Shoes, white ribbed silk Oxford, 1930s, top view

1930s. Oxford shoe. White ribbed silk Oxford with a vamp (toe) coming to an oval point in front and extending in back to the middle of the arch of the foot. The quarters (backs) are sewn together at center back, and the top edge of the quarters wraps to the front and forms the front-lacing open-tabs of the shoe. One pair of stitched eyelets are set into the tabs, laced with a white grosgrain ribbon currently tied off into a loop without a bow or streamers. The tongue is sharply pointed and extends well past the tabs. The continuous leather sole incorporates a fabric-covered French/Louis heel. Lined in cotton. Professionally made. Machine-sewn.

The Irma G. Bowen Historic Clothing Collection digital catalog was produced by the UNH Library Digital Collection Initiative, supported in part by a grant from the Mooseplate program and New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Additional funding provided by the E. Ruth Buxton Stephenson Memorial Fund.

Photography copyright, Astrida Schaeffer.