Pair of Shoes thumbnail 1
Pair of Shoes thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Fashion, Room 40

Pair of Shoes

1830s-1840s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

As skirts became wider and shorter during the 1830s attention focussed on the foot and ankle. Brightly coloured silk shoes complemented the richness of the gown, often matching the sash or the long fluttering ribbons worn in the hat.

Rosettes became increasingly fashionable. The white shoes shown here have been customised with a rosette applied on top of an existing bow. It is made from one piece of ribbon which has been box-pleated in concentric circles and then sewn onto a circular buckram backing. The elastic tie just visible on the inner is also a later addition. It would have fastened around the ankle to keep the shoe in place.

Due to their fragility, silk 'slippers' were usually reserved for indoor wear, evening dress or special occasions. Looking at these examples it is not difficult to see why. Although the toes are lined with linen and the back of the upper with kid they were clearly not made to last. Some writers complained that silk shoes became distorted and ugly after a few days wear. They were also probably uncomfortable as the toes are narrow, square and very shallow.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Shoe
  • Shoe
Materials and techniques
Silk, linen and leather
Brief description
Pair of white satin shoes, 1830s-1840s, British
Physical description
White slipper with a shallow square toe and rosette trimming. It does not have a heel, only a leather sole
Dimensions
  • Length: 24.8cm (Note: Measurement comverted from department registers)
  • Width: 5.7cm (Note: Measurement comverted from department registers)
  • Height: 3.8cm (Note: Measurement comverted from department registers)
Credit line
Given by Thomas W. Grieg
Summary
As skirts became wider and shorter during the 1830s attention focussed on the foot and ankle. Brightly coloured silk shoes complemented the richness of the gown, often matching the sash or the long fluttering ribbons worn in the hat.

Rosettes became increasingly fashionable. The white shoes shown here have been customised with a rosette applied on top of an existing bow. It is made from one piece of ribbon which has been box-pleated in concentric circles and then sewn onto a circular buckram backing. The elastic tie just visible on the inner is also a later addition. It would have fastened around the ankle to keep the shoe in place.

Due to their fragility, silk 'slippers' were usually reserved for indoor wear, evening dress or special occasions. Looking at these examples it is not difficult to see why. Although the toes are lined with linen and the back of the upper with kid they were clearly not made to last. Some writers complained that silk shoes became distorted and ugly after a few days wear. They were also probably uncomfortable as the toes are narrow, square and very shallow.
Collection
Accession number
2218&A-1899

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Record createdOctober 18, 2005
Record URL
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