Pair of Shoes
PeriodCirca 1920
Place MadePossibly New Jersey, U.S.A.
MediumSilk satin, leather, brass, linen, cotton
Dimensions3 × 3 × 9.5 in. (7.6 × 7.6 × 24.1 cm)
ClassificationsCostume, Women's
Credit LineMuseum Collection
Object number2005.501
DescriptionA pair of women's dress shoes in vivid electric blue silk satin, with gently pointed toes, a narrow vamp strap with a single brass ball button closure and a one-inch heel. The heel and sole are of sturdy brown leather. The insides of the shoes are lined with off-white linen. The shoe edges and straps are bound with machine sewn blue cotton tape. The number "14B" is faintly penciled on the inside heel of each shoe.Curatorial RemarksAlthough we do not know the original owner and wearer of these shoes, they were most likely worn by a Monmouth County resident in the early to mid 1920s. The narrow strap across the vamp (top of the foot) indicates that this style was called the "Mary Jane" or "strap shoe" in many advertisements. Fabric shoes - in silk, silk satin, and other fabrics - were very popular, while bold colors including this electric blue were worn by more fashion-forward women. The silk satin indicates that the shoes were not meant for everyday use, but rather for indoor event occasions such as a reception or dance. Relatively simple shoes such as this pair could retail for around $2.69 in catalogues such as Sears Roebuck or other mail-order companies, and local shoe stores and department stores would also have carried styles like this.
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