The 1960s was a decade that marked the dawn of androgynously radiant fashion. It was a breath of fresh air from the elegant and refined trend requirements of the 1950s. The 1960s was a time when women traded their expensive high stiletto heels for affordable, free-spirited, and comfortable footwear.
Blending a flat, ballet-style shoe with an elegant pointed toe was all it took to revolutionize women’s footwear in the '60s. The simple, comfortable, and unassuming style gave off an innocent vibe. The pointy-toed flat was a great way of toning down uber-sexy pieces, like the mini skirt, that also emerged during this era.
Another shoe style that made its entrance in the early 1960s was the return of a trend from the 20's and 30's: Mary Janes. With sturdy Cuban heels, thin straps, and a shapely body, these shoes were made for dancing. They added a long and slender shape to women's legs, creating the image of “dancer’s legs” all the girls of the era craved.
Also introduced in the early 1960s, Pilgrim Pumps Shoes went by a number of other names, including “chisel toe” and “blunt toe.” While they’d been on the shelves for a while, it wasn’t until 1965 that they became a fashion favorite. By then, the shoes had been modified to a more pilgrim-ish look than they had on their initial release. Records show this was the most copied design of the decade.
Women were so in love with the tall, thin heels brought in by the fashion trends of the '50s that even the practicality of pointy-toed flats couldn’t kill heel-love entirely. That ‘60s pragmatism still had an influence, however, as heels became shorter. The fashion world called them Sabrina heels or kitten heel pumps. Just as the pencil-cut dress that often accompanied heels became shorter in the ‘60s, so too did the heels themselves.
The boots that appeared in the 1960s have held strong in the decades that flowed after, particularly during the cold winter months. While most trends come and go, knee-high boots are still often rocked by models and celebrities for campaigns and events. Another evergreen style to emerge from the ‘60s are mid-heel, ankle-high, boots complete with a zipper pull. These classy boots still hold a cherished place in the fashion world to this day.
The first boot to cross into the high-fashion world of the 1960s was the half-boot. It had some elements of the conventional boot while also featuring the comfort and simplicity of a normal shoe. It was a revolutionary design, and the ankle-hugging footwear quickly became a fashion sensation of the '60s.
Saddle shoes had been popular amongst women of all ages since the late '20s because of their form and function. This blend of fashion and practicality was a hallmark of the '60s, so it’s no surprise that the saddle shoe ethos was incorporated into the new era’s style. To revamp it for the younger fashion crowd, the old saddle shoes were transformed into flat-soled sneakers, made by Skips, Plimsolls and Keds.
While it launched way back in 1774, Birkinstocks became the go-to footwear of the long-haired activist and hippies of the ‘60s. In 1964, a clever American Birkenstock distributor thought her company’s products would be appreciated by the young hippies emerging from Berkeley, California. A bit of clever marketing proved her theory right!
Most (if not all) of the shoes mentioned above have been featured in recent fashion campaigns, worn by celebrities, influencers, and probably a few of your friends. There’s no denying the '60s was a fashion-forward era, one focussed on creating a blend of comfort and chicness that, as it turns out, has lasting appeal.