Figure 1.-- This 5-year old American boy was Robert Johnson. Robert is apparently getting prepard for the First Grade by bgonning to read. He wears a white sailor suit with white long stockings and black strap shoes. This wa a popular outfit for pre-school boys at the time. This boy looks to be abouy 5 years old. The portrait is undated, but we guess was taken in the 1910s. We are not sure if he is wearing instep or ankle strap shoes, we think it is an instep starp shoe..

There were two basic types of strap shoes. The first type had the primary or first two straps set at the instep. There were many variations of the instep strap shoe. This included both the number of straps or bars as well as the addition on some of a center post. And the width of the straps also varied. The one- and two-bar straps were the most common. A good example is Carl Kellison who wore double stap or bar shoes without a center strap or post. While the single or double bar shoes were by far the most common, we have also seen strap shoes with multiple straps and som times quite a few traps. These multiple straps seem the most common in the early-20th century, but we occasionally see them into the 1930s. Sears offered a five strap shoe. avaialble in black and white. We notice various colors of instep strap shoes. The dress shoes were normally done in black or white, but we also see colors like brown, blue, and red. The second basic type of strap shoe had the strap high on the ankle rather than across the inseam. This was commonly worn by both boys before World War I. For a short time, this type was a very popular shoe style. We see large numbers in the 1900s and 10s. There were also some examples from the early-20s, but not many. Unlike the instep strap shoes, there were far fewer variations with the ankle strap shoes. We do not see any multiple strap examples or center posts. They often ha little ribbons. They were done mostly in black, but we see a few in white.

Instep Strap Shoes

The first type had the primary or first two straps set at or near the the instep. There were many variations of the instep strap shoe. The strap at the turn-of the 20th century was placed a little back of the instep location than became standard after World War I in the 1920s. This included both the number of straps or bars as well as the addition on some of a center post. And the width of the straps also varied. The strap shoes with one- and two-bars were the most common. A good example is Carl Kellison who wore double stap or bar shoes without a center strap or post. While the single or double-bar shoes were by far the most common, we have also seen strap shoes with multiple straps and sometimes quite a few straps. These multiple straps seem the most common in the early-20th century, but we occasionally see them into the 1930s. Sears offered a five strap shoe, avaialble in black and white. We notice various colors of instep strap shoes. The dress shoes were normally done in black or white, but we also see colors like brown, blue, and red, mostly worn as ply shoes. The multiple straps were mostly worn by girls, but we occassionally see a younger boy wearing them.

Ankle Strap Shoes

The second basic type of strap shoe had the strap high on the ankle rather than across the inseam. This was a new type and for a time outsold the more traditional instep strap shoe. We see large numbers in the photographic record. Both boys and girls wore them. They were commonly worn by both boys before World War I. For a short time, this type was a very popular shoe style. We see large numbers in the 1900s and 10s. Then they rapidly went out of style There were also some examples from the early-20s, but not very many. The traditional kinstep type came back in style. Unlike the instep strap shoes, there were far fewer variations with the ankle strap shoes. We do not see any multiple strap examples or center posts. They often ha little ribbons. They were done mostly in black, but we see a few in white. They were a dress shoe style. They were not worn for play, but we do see boys wearung them for what look like casual dressy occasions. They were very popular with white long stockings.

Created: 3:19 PM 12/3/2013
Last updated: 5:03 PM 12/3/2013