Figure 1.--Here a German boy about 4-years old wears a tunic suit with double strap sandals. Note the center bar. The portrait here is undated, but was probably taken in the 1910s. |
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The vast majority of the images we have noted show German boys single-bar strap shoes. We also notice boys wearing multiple strap shoes, although not as commonly as single strap shoes. We see the multiple straps in the late 19th century, but after the turn of the 20th century, styles began to become more standardized. An example is an unidentified German boy, we think about 1930. The most common multiple strap style was the double strap style. We notice strap shoes with three or more straps, but these were much less common. There were also strap shoes with center bars, both single and double strap shoes. As best we can tell the center bar strap shoes appeared after the turn of the 20th century. These various designs were made in both dress and casual styles.
The vast majority of the strap shoe images we have noted show German boys wearing single-bar strap shoes. This was a very popular shoe style for both boys and girls during the late-19th and early-20th centuries. They seem especially popular in the early 20th century, through the 1920s. We still see them in the 1930s, but not as commonly. They continued to be worn in the early-40s, but we no longer ee many boys wearing them after the War. Most were strap shoes, a term derived from a metal clasp, although a few tied. While they were worn by a wide age range, the clasp closure was particularly prctical for youngr children who had not yet learned to tie shoe laces. There were also difference in the open area and te tie shape. The shoe tended to have a fairly low heel. Not only did both boys and girls wear them, but we see them being worn by a wide age range by both boys and girls. We note stylistic differences in the width and placement of the strap. Most images show a fairly narrow strap or bar. The width varied only marginally. Most of the German images were instep rather than ankle bars, but this varied somewhat chronologically. Single strap shoe were done in different materials and colors. We do not note mny patent leather strap shoes, but most apper to hav been lether. We note them being worn as both a dress and play shoe and they were also worn to school. It is difficult to assess color. Blck was common, but we aldi notice hite and colored shoes. All kind of hosiery were orn with them.
We also notice boys wearing multiple strap shoes, although not as commonly as single strap shoes. We see the multiple straps in the late 19th century, but after the turn of the 20th century, styles began to become more standardized. The most common multiple strap style was the double strap style. We notice strap shoes with three or more straps, but these were much less common.
There were also strap shoes with center bars, both single and double strap shoes. These shoes were called T-bar shoes in America abd mostly worn by girls. They were popularly called school sandals in Britain abd wirn by both boys and girls. An example is an unidentified German boy, we think about 1930. As best we can tell the center bar strap shoes appeared after the turn-of-the 20th century. There were both play ad dress versions and we also see them being wirn to school.
We see some boys wearing strap shoes tied like modern dance shoes. Most strap shoes had buckle attachments. We do not know much about the tie strap shoes. Our archive is fairly limited and thus we do not yet fully understand the conventions involved. As far as we can tell, this was more common for boys than for girls. We also only note the shoes in Germany and have not seen them in other countries. We are not entirely sure what material they were made from. Some seem to be made in canvas rather than leather.
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