Bringing Back the Saddle Shoe
In the year 2020, after almost a decade of the Saddle Shoe declining in popularity, I have decided to bring them back.
If you are anything like me and love to watch TV shows and movies set in high schools during the 1950s-1990s or the early 2000s, you have probably noticed one common shoe worn by many teenage girls: the saddle shoe. After noticing this iconic shoe multiple times, I asked my mom if she remembers this shoe to be as popular as portrayed. She told me yes and that she even had a pair of her own. I have been quite intrigued with this shoe and, more importantly, why no one wears them anymore. It’s understandable that with fashion trends changing weekly, a shoe can go unnoticed. Still, the saddle shoe has been iconic for over 50 years and you would think it would be in every vintage collector’s closet, but it seems that they are mostly worn as part of a 1950s costume. This year, however, I decided to bring back the saddle shoe. After years of watching Gilmore Girls, where Rory Gilmore wears her saddle shoes with her Chilton uniform, and now recently watching The Queen’s Gambit, where saddle shoes are worn throughout the series, I am finally adding saddle shoes as a unique addition to my wardrobe that I am excited to style.
Wearing clothes that are either out of style or not currently trendy can bring up some anxiety and hesitation. While attending school in person, I always felt judged for what I would wear to school. Either your clothes are “too basic,” or they are too out there. During the pandemic alone, I feel as though I have gone through different phases of outfits—going between leggings and a sweatshirt to occasionally wear a dress and heels only to walk around my room and get ready for the first time in months. Many of us have felt the pressure to look a certain way, but I have been letting myself wear what I think looks cool whether or not it fits the generic style—this mainly consists of sweater vests and corduroy pants. When buying clothes that I want to feel both comfortable and stylish in, I figured I might as well get the pair of shoes I have been interested in for so long, even if they are not back in style.
I’ve never understood why the saddle shoe has stopped being so popular. I wanted to learn more about the history of the saddle shoe, and what I learned was quite surprising. Although they became extremely popular in the 1950s, the saddle was first made notable in the 1920s as men’s loafers. During this time, women began fighting for gender equality and bending the norms of women’s fashion, and the saddle shoe became footwear for all genders. The first time the saddle shoe’s popularity dipped was during the Great Depression. Later, the shoe became more durable while its price remained low, with more colors offered as well. The 1940s were when the saddle shoes finally began to take form into what they are today.
Many teenage girls began wearing the shoes to school and the shoe’s popularity increased significantly. The way to wear them was scuffed and worn-down, unlike the 1940s, the 1950s when it was a time to show off a nice, clean new pair of shoes. Wearing saddle shoes to school to show them off and be a part of the crowd was common. Not only was the saddle shoe cute, but they were also extremely comfortable and were a part of the standard cheerleading uniform until the mid-80s. The saddle shoe then did fall in sales again due to the decade of rebellion during the 1960s. The saddle shoe declined until the early 2000s, when it made almost an entire halt in sales.
I have been waiting for the saddle shoe to come back for years, and since no one else has brought them back, I decided to get a pair and wear them anyway. They look similar to the Dr. Martens Oxford shoe as well as the Adidas Superstar, which have been back in fashion in recent years. The most important lesson I have learned over the past few years is that you should truly wear what you feel comfortable with, as long as it is not hateful towards anyone, religion or culture, even if it is not trendy or in style. Getting to the point of not caring what others think about what I wear has been years in the making. Still, I am excited to wear my new pair of saddle shoes, and if you are interested in getting a new pair of comfortable and cute shoes, I would recommend the saddle shoe, and we can bring them back together!
Akasha is a well-experienced veteran on the Newspaper staff who has been a member of Newspaper club since freshman year and lead the club as president her sophomore year. When she is not working on publishing a new edition of The Owl, you can find Akasha in the school auditorium, running through dress rehearsals and singing in the ensemble for Boulder High’s theater program. She is also one of the Co-Presidents of Women's Empowerment Club at BHS! This year, Akasha is looking forward to being a part of the newspaper staff again and hopes to spread more awareness around the school about the school paper and create a more significant following. She is interested in the field of journalism due...
Dean Closson • Jan 26, 2024 at 4:08 am
I think you will really look good in your saddle shoes you should start getting more of them I agree they should bring saddle shoes back.
Jeanie • Feb 24, 2022 at 3:34 pm
I used to have a pair of saddle shoes in black , a pair in blue and a pair in brown. I wore them all through high school. I just bought a pair of saddle shoe & I love them!
Dan M. • Feb 7, 2022 at 1:22 pm
I am old enough to remember still seeing them being worn to school in the 60’s, mostly by girls. They wore either the classic black and white or later on a two tone brown. In the mid 70’s they made another come back, mainly due to the show Happy Days. I can remember both boys and girls wearing them, and yes some boys even wore black and white, or navy and bone. About 15 years ago they came back but this time as predominantly a men’s style. Usually in two tone brown, and other colors to a lesser extent. I have always liked the style and it wasn’t till I was an adult that I started to wear them. I have 5 pair now, including a pair of black and white but am waiting for the warmer weather to wear them. Yes wearing black and white saddle shoes are noticed by all, no matter if your male or female wearing them. I have never had any bad reactions, as a man wearing them. Rather I often get compliments from lady’s who see my wearing them. Right now as far as the usually places to buy them, Bass or Florsheim both seem to be taking a rest in selling them for 2022. I too always hoped they would come back as a main stream style but likely that won’t happen. But if you do like the style buy yourself a pair and enjoy the compliments.
Sondra Garvey • Nov 5, 2021 at 5:08 pm
Muffy’s makes beautiful saddle shoes using the original patterns from the ’50s. I wore them as a child and have wanted to wear them again and now, at age 70 I do! I love mine and wear them everywhere. They are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever had. My foot is wide and I was able to get a wide shoe that is so cute. Check out her store on Ebay. Muffy’s Saddle Shoes. Great shipping and service too.
Kathy kaliher • Sep 26, 2021 at 10:08 pm
I just read your article on Saddle Shoes. I’ve been looking for a pair that I had as a child. They had ” white ” soles. I remember my mom buying them for me. I wish I could find a store or person that sold them. I would buy them. I loved my saddle shoes. I grew up in the 50s. Loved your artical.
Gary Whitehill • Sep 15, 2021 at 9:48 pm
Akasha, you need to check out my friend Chuck Offenburger at offenburger.com. Chuck has been wearing black and white saddle shoes since the 6th grade back in about 1959!
When writing the “Iowa Boy” column for the Des Moines Register in around 1995, he almost singlehandedly brought back the saddle shoe for a while. Even made the New York Times.. Do a search on Chuck and saddle shoes for more!
Donna F. • Jul 25, 2021 at 9:28 am
I have always loved saddle shoes. Just recently, I bought a pair that I love and will proudly wear them as my everyday shoe. It’s summer, now, so I won’t be wearing them that often, but come fall, winter and spring, I’ll be wearing them often and not caring what others say.
ole • May 17, 2021 at 7:28 am
I want the saddle shoes, where do I get them in South Africa, Gauteng Pretoria
dp • Apr 9, 2021 at 10:48 pm
This article needs editing.
Beyond that, the shoes were most popular in the 1950’s which is SEVENTY years ago, not 50. Fifty years ago would be the 1970’s and they definitely were not popular then. They were still being worn by cheerleaders in the 1990’s according to the yearbooks I have. They were popular with cheerleaders because of the soles.
My mother wore them all through elementary and high school. Catholic schools still wear them. My friend, Felicia, has a daughter in a parochial high school that is $$$. They are required to wear saddle shoes (they even tell you what brand). They cost $85.
I love the look of them, sure wish they’d come back in style.
I would wear them now if I had any guts. 🙂
Carolyn Macklin • Jan 9, 2021 at 11:05 pm
The LOVE THE SADDLE SHOE.I HAVE THE BLACK & WHITE.I WANT A PAIR OF TAN &WHITE..IF YOU FIND OUT PLEACE LET ME KNOW.
Lex Dembo • Dec 14, 2020 at 11:54 pm
I absolutely loved the stance you took with this piece! Modern fashion society and social media are always so judgmental to things that are even somewhat out of the ordinary, and I feel like people need to start just going for it and wearing whatever they want. I think that the saddle shoe makes for an iconic vintage look, especially with how similar it is too popular Doc Martens. Since quarantine began, my sense of clothing has taken a wild ride, and I’ve taken up the ideology that I should wear what I want because I like it, not because other people like it. Statement shoes are so great, and I think the saddle shoe is truly a great way to look great and make a statement.
Skye Aker • Dec 14, 2020 at 10:41 pm
I really enjoy the history that you’ve incorporated in this article. I find it really empowering that saddle shoes were originally loafers for men, that became popular for all genders. The twenties were definitely an awakening for the inclusivity of clothing. Flappers began showing more ankle and even saddle shoes became androgynous! I also think it’s interesting to observe old fashion trends resurface. Personally, I’ve also been rediscovering my style over quarantine, through thrift stores, and second-hand online shops. I really enjoyed reading this and I like the inclusive ending that you wrote.
Kylie Angulo • Dec 14, 2020 at 6:58 pm
I thought this was a really good article. I have always liked ‘older’ style trends, especially from the ’80s. I think that there are many styles that have continued over the years and they can be seen stemming from hundreds of years ago. I think the saddle shoe has influenced many shoes that are popular today and because it has been around for so long it will probably come back in style. I liked how you gave background history to the saddle shoes and why you think they should come back to popularity. I agree!
Amelie Gentry • Dec 14, 2020 at 11:57 am
This article is very interesting to me. I have seen a lot of style from the 50s, 70s, and 80s become more and more fashionable nowadays. The style is constantly changing and it’s so interesting to see the ‘old’ fashion now become the ‘new’. I love the saddle show and to me the low top laced vans look very similar. The style seems to be very similar with small changes. I loved the way you wrote this and appealed to the audience to make everyone feel involved.
Amelie Gentry • Dec 14, 2020 at 11:56 am
This article is very interesting to me. I have seen a lot of style from the 50s, 70s, and 80s become more and more fashionable nowadays. The style is constantly changing and it’s so interesting to see the ‘old’ fashion now become the ‘new’. I love the saddle show and to me the low top laced vans look very similar. The style seems to be very similar with small changes. I loved the way you wrote this and appealed to the audience to make everyone feel involved!
Laurel Gabbard • Dec 13, 2020 at 5:52 pm
I love this article and love that you are bringing them back and have decided to wear them!! They are super cute and if I had a pair of saddle shoes I would definitely wear them! It is super interesting to hear about how they were popular in the 50s but began to decline in sales with the more rebellious movements of the 60s. I also think it is always fun to see things that you love like saddle shoes on TV shows as you mentioned with Gilmore Girls and The Queen’s Gambit. Overall, this is an awesome article!
Grace • Dec 12, 2020 at 8:33 pm
Wearing what you want will never go out of style in my books. If I had a three-piece suit, you know I would be wearing it. Saddle shoes look so fun and make me want to dance! There is this culture around clothing in school that makes it interesting to think too hard about what to wear. Strangely enough, I have heard an alarming number of girls talk about how they are afraid to dress more modestly, which is a whole other topic. Great article!
Isabel Oliver • Dec 10, 2020 at 7:50 pm
The saddle shoe, who knew! I’m impressed by your motivation to make this seemingly over shoe back in business. PS they’re very cute