civilian shoes

[linksrds]

I am just starting WW@ reenacting.. My impression is that of a French resistance fighter.

while I have been able to locate clothing and acc. I have not been able to find the proper style civilian shoes....I ahve checked the websites and still no luck.

Any help would be appreciated.

[mburch66]

What kind of shoes are you looking for when you say "proper?" Is it possible that the Brits dropped ammo boots to the French? How about a pair of just good work boots? I guess it depends on who your French resistance fighter is. If you are a city dweller you might consider just some black wingtips. If you are a farmer then you can go with boots. But even the country towns had well to do business men. What we consider "dress shoes" today were everyday shoes back then.

[linksrds]

I am looking for a pair of low cut oxfords. I would like to find leather soles and you would be amazed how hard it is to find a pair...

Thanks for the input

[mburch66]

In this case eBay is your best friend.

[redjoshman]

Allen Edmonds was having a 20% off sale recently. I was able to get an awesome pair of made in America Made Oxford Style Brown Wingtip Brouges with the leather soles for cheaper than you would usually find. Use them everyday at school, my feet feel great as they now are super comfy once broken in and the number of compliments I am getting are amazing. I would highly recommend going that route.

If you are looking for a good pair of leather soled shoes, it is going to cost you a pretty penny, no question. The cheapest place for a good pair will be Mattimore, however even that will be expensive. I would choose a shoe and style you can use for both work and play as that will help justify the expense of the purchase.

-Josh

[UPNATM]

Oct 25, 2012 15:07:52 GMT -5 mburch66 said:

In this case eBay is your best friend.

That's where I got mine, 8 bucks plus shipping.

[Usrivoy]

Don't forget to take a look in your local Thrift Store, Salvation Army or AmVet stores. You would be amazed what you can find in there for vintage clothes.

[137e R.I.]

Any old styled civie shoes should do, maybe some nice cap toes for something a little more "era-identity", for lack of a better word. Just keep in mind that shoes were a difficult item to come by during the occupation, so by the time of the Liberation, most people's shoes are looking rather terrible, or even on the verge of coming apart. Most people walked/ rode bikes. There were people who found ways to make them last though, wooden soles became common sight, and people living in rural areas were not above wearing the old sabots (clogs).

Doing Maquis will be a bit different. Old French military stock boots were frequently worn in along with civie shoes. Captured German boots were seen on the feet of Maquisards as well.

[gijills]

Thrift stores find a good old fashioned pair of wing tips they have been around forever.

[aavery.62]

If you can get an old pair of leather oxfords or a similar style shoe for cheap at a thrift store or garage sale, you can probably have your local shoe repair guy resole them with leather. Might have to go that route especially if your feet are too big to find originals that fit well. (that's my problem!)