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Hello!
I am a vintage shoe fanatic! I just love the craftsmanship found in older shoes and also the fact that no one else will ever be wearing the same pair as me - gives my style a unique edge. Most pairs in my collection (and it is a museum worthy collection, not just a few pairs) were acquired right here on Ebay!
One of my pet peeves is when people mis-list the decade. Shame on you! Do your homework! If they are inspired by a decade, then it's totally acceptable, because vintage has inspired plenty of newer retro looks - but you need to say "inspired." Listing a pair of platforms from the 90's and passing them off as genuine vintage 70's is a crime! Some dealers simply don't know, because their stock varies or aren't as well versed as some as the buyers; some want to make a quick buck. I am an ebay seller AND a buyer, so I tend to specialize and know my merchandise; most dealers do not. As a buyer, you need to be able to spot whats real and what's a fake, to protect yourself. There is nothing worse than getting your heart set on a pair, waiting for them to arrive, tear open that box and then realize those Disco Platforms are infact cheap Payless knock-offs. I am going to list off some of the tips I use to determine age.
First off, there is nothing wrong with retro platform shoes from the 90's! John Fluevog put out those fab bell heel platforms that Lady Miss Kier sported in that Dee-Lite video and those will NEVER be out of fashion! Fluevog also makes a quality shoe, so you can count on wearing those for 30 years with the aid of a proper cobbler or shoe repair. You must must must have your shoes polished, oiled and pampered if you want them to last and leather shoes will last forever if you keep them supple. So ask around and do a little research to find a reputable professional and take those babies in every year, depending on how often you wear them, of course. Store them with tissue stuffed in them to maintain the shape, and avoid letting them get dusty. Mine are stored prominently on a display shelf, but I'm a little umm...enthusiastic!
If the shoes are for a costume, then using retro repros is totally fine - you still must say "70's style," not "70's." Retro repros might be in better condition, which will fit your situation better anyhow, so don't dismiss anything that is not authentic if it's to be used for one day or for a school play or something. I get teary eyed thinking of people destroying vintage shoes and clothing in the name of Halloween - that is what retro reproductions are for!!! Make your Dead Prom Queen costume, covered in fake blood, out of a newer second hand garment instead of ripping up that 50's ball gown and kitten heels! So selling repros is not a bad thing, but sellers please remember that they aren't worth as much, so be realistic with your pricing, unless they are a collectable designer label.
The most obvious way of distinguishing retro versus vintage, is that most shoes had their maker printed directly on the insole since the 70's and older.
I have seen actual cloth tags sewn into some 1930's and early 1940's shoes, but generally the maker was printed onto the insole.
They did not glue cloth tags inside the shoes till the 80's and 90's; therefore if your platform shoes have glued on labels, they are probably newer retro versions - not true vintage.
If they are tags that are sewn in, you could possibly have a 30's pair or possibly a 70's pair, but it's rare and unusual. Best way to determine it is by always showing a pic of the insole, so the buyer can see - I can spot a repro a mile a way. If you misrepresent your era by passing the shoes off as genuine, then you are selling a fraudelent item and will be liable for a full refund. So take that extra pic as insurance to protect you and your buyer.
Most vintage shoes had leather soles up to the 50's.
They then started using synthetic soles on occasion, but usually with vinyl or patent leather shoes.
Quality shoes were made in Spain or Brazil (sometimes spelled Brasil) and had leather soles; a lot of vintage 70's platform shoes were such works of art, that many of them came with leather soles - but not all.
One rule is that newer shoes come with that clear plastic sticker on them, the one with the size or country it was made in - vintage do not.
Vintage shoes also were never made in China, that is something that is relatively new as well.
The materials newer soles are made of is different as well, but it's almost never that tan - off white color stuff, the older shoes were black or brown, usually made to simulate leather, but after a few wears, was lighter underneath, sometimes a yellowish brown color. Hard to describe, but I'm doing my best! ; )
It's best to include a pic of the sole, it helps the buyer confirm the age and see what kind of condition they are in. Check to see if the sole is pulling away from the shoe or if there is cracks or worn spots. Of course they are going to be worn, but if they are so worn that they are going to need replacing, then the buyer needs to be aware, as that is a costly project! I received a pair this summer only to be disappointed by a large crack in each shoe, right across the ball of the foot, rendering them unwearable. It took me a week at the cobbler and $30 to make them wearable, which I might not have done had I known about said condition! For 70's platform shoes, I will have new soles put on without batting an eye, as they are like works of art. It's my little bit of good karma to rejuvinate vintage platform shoes and let them back out into the world!
Lastly, try and remember the makers of some of your better shoes, so you can do a search and find another pair by the same maker. Qualicraft, Town and Country, Terri DeHaviland, Cherokee, Famolare and several more are on my search list. It's also good to know what brands are newer, so you don't get duped. Classified is NOT a vintage brand, but a 90's brand that reproduced vintage looking platform shoes, which are obviously worth much less.
Ok, I hope that helps!
Please check my auctions for vintage clothing & shoes, as well as newer designer brands and a few collectables here and there!
There are a million sellers here on ebay, so I am honored that you read my article or even took a peek at my listings! Hopefully I have something that catches your eye or makes you smile!
luv modlucy
I am a vintage shoe fanatic! I just love the craftsmanship found in older shoes and also the fact that no one else will ever be wearing the same pair as me - gives my style a unique edge. Most pairs in my collection (and it is a museum worthy collection, not just a few pairs) were acquired right here on Ebay!
One of my pet peeves is when people mis-list the decade. Shame on you! Do your homework! If they are inspired by a decade, then it's totally acceptable, because vintage has inspired plenty of newer retro looks - but you need to say "inspired." Listing a pair of platforms from the 90's and passing them off as genuine vintage 70's is a crime! Some dealers simply don't know, because their stock varies or aren't as well versed as some as the buyers; some want to make a quick buck. I am an ebay seller AND a buyer, so I tend to specialize and know my merchandise; most dealers do not. As a buyer, you need to be able to spot whats real and what's a fake, to protect yourself. There is nothing worse than getting your heart set on a pair, waiting for them to arrive, tear open that box and then realize those Disco Platforms are infact cheap Payless knock-offs. I am going to list off some of the tips I use to determine age.
First off, there is nothing wrong with retro platform shoes from the 90's! John Fluevog put out those fab bell heel platforms that Lady Miss Kier sported in that Dee-Lite video and those will NEVER be out of fashion! Fluevog also makes a quality shoe, so you can count on wearing those for 30 years with the aid of a proper cobbler or shoe repair. You must must must have your shoes polished, oiled and pampered if you want them to last and leather shoes will last forever if you keep them supple. So ask around and do a little research to find a reputable professional and take those babies in every year, depending on how often you wear them, of course. Store them with tissue stuffed in them to maintain the shape, and avoid letting them get dusty. Mine are stored prominently on a display shelf, but I'm a little umm...enthusiastic!
If the shoes are for a costume, then using retro repros is totally fine - you still must say "70's style," not "70's." Retro repros might be in better condition, which will fit your situation better anyhow, so don't dismiss anything that is not authentic if it's to be used for one day or for a school play or something. I get teary eyed thinking of people destroying vintage shoes and clothing in the name of Halloween - that is what retro reproductions are for!!! Make your Dead Prom Queen costume, covered in fake blood, out of a newer second hand garment instead of ripping up that 50's ball gown and kitten heels! So selling repros is not a bad thing, but sellers please remember that they aren't worth as much, so be realistic with your pricing, unless they are a collectable designer label.
The most obvious way of distinguishing retro versus vintage, is that most shoes had their maker printed directly on the insole since the 70's and older.
I have seen actual cloth tags sewn into some 1930's and early 1940's shoes, but generally the maker was printed onto the insole.
They did not glue cloth tags inside the shoes till the 80's and 90's; therefore if your platform shoes have glued on labels, they are probably newer retro versions - not true vintage.
If they are tags that are sewn in, you could possibly have a 30's pair or possibly a 70's pair, but it's rare and unusual. Best way to determine it is by always showing a pic of the insole, so the buyer can see - I can spot a repro a mile a way. If you misrepresent your era by passing the shoes off as genuine, then you are selling a fraudelent item and will be liable for a full refund. So take that extra pic as insurance to protect you and your buyer.
Most vintage shoes had leather soles up to the 50's.
They then started using synthetic soles on occasion, but usually with vinyl or patent leather shoes.
Quality shoes were made in Spain or Brazil (sometimes spelled Brasil) and had leather soles; a lot of vintage 70's platform shoes were such works of art, that many of them came with leather soles - but not all.
One rule is that newer shoes come with that clear plastic sticker on them, the one with the size or country it was made in - vintage do not.
Vintage shoes also were never made in China, that is something that is relatively new as well.
The materials newer soles are made of is different as well, but it's almost never that tan - off white color stuff, the older shoes were black or brown, usually made to simulate leather, but after a few wears, was lighter underneath, sometimes a yellowish brown color. Hard to describe, but I'm doing my best! ; )
It's best to include a pic of the sole, it helps the buyer confirm the age and see what kind of condition they are in. Check to see if the sole is pulling away from the shoe or if there is cracks or worn spots. Of course they are going to be worn, but if they are so worn that they are going to need replacing, then the buyer needs to be aware, as that is a costly project! I received a pair this summer only to be disappointed by a large crack in each shoe, right across the ball of the foot, rendering them unwearable. It took me a week at the cobbler and $30 to make them wearable, which I might not have done had I known about said condition! For 70's platform shoes, I will have new soles put on without batting an eye, as they are like works of art. It's my little bit of good karma to rejuvinate vintage platform shoes and let them back out into the world!
Lastly, try and remember the makers of some of your better shoes, so you can do a search and find another pair by the same maker. Qualicraft, Town and Country, Terri DeHaviland, Cherokee, Famolare and several more are on my search list. It's also good to know what brands are newer, so you don't get duped. Classified is NOT a vintage brand, but a 90's brand that reproduced vintage looking platform shoes, which are obviously worth much less.
Ok, I hope that helps!
Please check my auctions for vintage clothing & shoes, as well as newer designer brands and a few collectables here and there!
There are a million sellers here on ebay, so I am honored that you read my article or even took a peek at my listings! Hopefully I have something that catches your eye or makes you smile!
luv modlucy
Guide created: 10/08/06 (updated 09/09/09)
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