So, I got this itch, you know? About 70’s women’s shoes. It wasn’t just a passing thought; I really wanted to get my hands dirty, metaphorically speaking, and figure out what was what. It started a while back, just seeing these retro styles pop up again, but I wanted to know about the real deal, the originals.
My Starting Point: Memories and Mess
First thing I did was try to remember. What did my mom or aunts wear? Flipped through some old, dusty photo albums. You get glimpses, a flash of a heel here, a chunky sole there. Not much to go on, really. So, then I thought, right, let’s see what’s out there in the wild.
My initial forays were, well, messy. I hit up a few local thrift stores, the kind where you really have to dig. And dig I did. Piles of shoes, mostly modern stuff, but every now and then, something would catch my eye. “Is this it?” I’d wonder. Most times, nope. Just old, not necessarily 70s old.
The Hunt Gets Real: Sifting and Searching
Then I decided to get a bit more systematic. I started looking at online marketplaces, not the big shiny ones, but the places where people sell vintage. And man, that was an eye-opener. You see “70s style” slapped on everything. But the genuine articles? That’s a different story.
I learned pretty quick you gotta look for certain things. The shapes are key. And the materials! Some of that old vinyl, the chunky woods, the suedes. You can sort of feel the era in them, even through a picture.
I spent hours, I’m not kidding, just scrolling, comparing, trying to train my eye. It’s like any skill, you gotta practice. I made a few mistakes early on, bought a pair that I was so sure about, only to realize later they were probably early 80s trying to look 70s. Live and learn, right?
What I Actually Found: The Good, The Bad, and The Chunky
So, what did I actually turn up from that whole period of digging? Well, a whole lot of understanding, for one. And a few key styles that just scream 70s. It wasn’t like I was building some massive collection, more like an education.
Here’s a rundown of what really stood out from my practice:
- Platforms, platforms, platforms: Seriously, they were everywhere. Some were just sky-high. You had your glam rock types, glittery and bold. Then the more everyday ones, but still with that significant lift. Walking in them? I imagine it was an art form.
- Clogs: The real deal, often with wooden soles. Some plain, some with painted designs or tooled leather uppers. These felt really authentic when I finally got my hands on a decent pair to examine.
- Wedges: So many wedges! Cork wedges were huge. Espadrille wedges too. They seemed a bit more wearable than some of the wilder platforms, but still had that distinct 70s silhouette.
- Boots: Knee-high and over-the-knee boots were a big thing. Often in those earthy tones, or sometimes bright, bold colors. And again, often with a platform or a chunky heel.
- Sandals: Even the sandals had heft. Think thick straps, sometimes woven leather, and often, you guessed it, a bit of a platform or a block heel.
Finding pieces in good condition, that was the real challenge. Time isn’t kind to old shoes. Glues dry out, synthetics crack, colors fade. And sometimes, the prices people ask for genuine vintage, wow. You’d think they were made of gold. But that’s the market, I guess.
My Takeaway From This Whole Thing
So, after all that looking and sifting and learning, what’s the upshot? Well, I didn’t become a world-renowned 70s shoe expert overnight, that’s for sure. But I got a much better feel for it. It’s more than just looking at pictures in a book. It’s about understanding the vibe, the materials, the way things were made (and sometimes, how they fell apart!).
This whole exercise, it reminded me that fashion, even just shoes, tells a story. And the 70s, man, that was a time of big, bold statements, right down to what people put on their feet. It was fun to connect with that a little bit. Now when I see a “70s inspired” shoe, I have a much better idea of how inspired it really is. And that, for me, was worth the effort.
