Figure 1.--Japanese primary school children have commonly worn sneakers. At fitst this may have been the low cost of sneakers, but this is no longer the case. Here we see students on a school outing. These Osaka boys wearing white ankle socks and sneakers.

We notice a lot of boys in the late 19th century wearing heavy boot-like shoes. After World War I, the oxford shoe became a standard shoe style American boys often wore sneakers to elementay schol. This was once most common for children from less affluent families. They were not llowed at secondary schools. Sneakers became standard school footwear in America by the 1970s. In England, elementary-age boys often wore closed-toe brown "t" strap sandals, referred to as school sandals, for normal school wear. Some younger boys or girls wore redish-brown or blue sandals or double strap sandals. Clark's school sandals were a standard. Some private schools required them. Sandals are still widely worn, but the center strap is now commonly quite thick. Footwear trends have varied significantly over time. We do not yet have much information on the 18th century. We also do not know much about the early 19th century. We know much more about the mid- and late 19th century as a result of the development of photography. And by coincidence this was also the time at which much larger numbers of children begin to attemd school as a result of the development of public education systems. We know much \more about the 20th century. Footwear trends varies widely from country to country. There were major differences between Asia, North America, and Europe. The trends in Europe varied from country to country, but were significantly different from North America until late in the 20th century.

Footwear Types

We notice a lot of boys in the late 19th century wearing heavy boot-like shoes. After World War I, the oxford shoe became a standard shoe style. Saddleshoes and sneakers were also worn. American boys often wore sneakers to elementay schol. This was once most common for children from less affluent families. They were not llowed at secondary schools. Sneakers became standard school footwear in America by the 1970s. In England, elementary-age boys often wore closed-toe brown "t" strap sandals, referred to as school sandals, for normal school wear. Some younger boys or girls wore redish-brown or blue sandals or double strap sandals. Clark's school sandals were a standard. Some private schools required them. Sandals are still widely worn, but the center strap is now commonly quite thick. Regular black oxfords were used for dress wear or by older boys. During inclemiate weather, English boys might wear wellies. We notice French boys wearing a wide range of footwear, including sandals, oxford shoes, and book-like shoes.

Chronology

Footwear trends have varied significantly over time. We do not yet have much information on the 18th century. We also do not know much about the early 19th century. We know much more about the mid- and late 19th century as a result of the development of photography. And by coincidence this was also the time at which much larger numbers of children begin to attemd school as a result of the development of public education systems. We note many children attending school with heavy boot-like shoes. Quite a number of children attended school barefoot. This varied somewhat by country with climate being an important factor. We have much more detailed information on the 20th century and we note a greater variety of school footwear. Many children wore high-top shoes in the early 20th century, but we see still see barefoot children in several countries. Here both climate and poverty were factors as were social conventions. After World war I we see children in many countries wearing sandals, but not commonly in America. High-top shodes were still common for younger children, but this varied from country to country. Most children wore leather shoes. American children began wearing sneakers after World war II, but this trend did not immediately develop in Europe. It did in Japan.

Country Trends

Footwear trends varies widely from country to country. There were major differences between Asia, North America, and Europe. The trends in Europe varied from country to country, but were significantly different from North America until late in the 20th century.

Created: November 5, 2003
Last updated: 8:23 AM 5/6/2008