need suggestions for boy's shoes

[MDec]

My 6 year old son will be joining me this season at reenactments. I finished making his civilian shirts, trousers, and drawers, and am trying to see what to do about shoes. He's in a toddler 13,almost a child 1, and I am looking for suggestions on what civilian style shoes he should be wearing and where to get them. I would even consider something that may not be totally authentic but perhaps something that could be modified so that it would be acceptable.

Any help would be appreciated.

Michael Dec

[Spinster]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

Michael,

Stand that boy on a ruler and send me the length of his foot in inches. I may have a pair here.

[MDec]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

His foot measures 7-1/4 inches in length.

Michael Dec

[PVT.BEN MILLER]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

When I was younger (when my foot was still growing) I used a pair of Minnetonka Moccasins with the fringe cut off they are only about $30.00 or less, it about = a poor boy's shoe. Hope this helps:)

-Ben Miller

[paulcalloway]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

When I was younger (when my foot was still growing) I used a pair of Minnetonka Moccasins with the fringe cut off they are only about $30.00 or less, it about = a poor boy's shoe. Hope this helps:)

-Ben Miller

Ben - that one doesn't help. This isn't a forum for status quo reenacting. All discussion here must strive toward authenticity.

I suggest a review of the thread entitled, We Got Rules Here.

[PVT.BEN MILLER]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

Sorry,Just tryin' to help:(

[paulcalloway]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

:thumbs_up Help is good.

We just make sure to glance up there at the top of the page once in awhile and verify that what we're posting as "help" jives with what we say we're doing in that banner.

[VMurphy]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

This is just a comment on my observations of childrens foot wear at living history events at Boonesfield. If the weather is half way pleasant most end up going barefoot :p
Which is probably the most appropriate for mid 19th c, as it is today.

On the matter of boots and shoes...One can usually find a fairly good reproduction of a black either boot or short topped shoe in such shoe places, especially by July when they start stocking "back to school" clothing.
I had a friend that raised her boy in "amish boots" till his feet stopped growing :)

I can sympathize with parents who want to dress their children in good authentic civilian garb, but the child grows 6 in. a season ! There has to be some "medium ground" somewhere...
Congratulations on his clothing! It looks great!!

Regards
Vivian Murphy

http://www.themantuamaker.net

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

Since this came up in several fora, I'll cross post: Some of the mothers on the Sewing Academy Forum have used what's called a Paddock Boot. here are a coupla choices in "appropriate" styles, the laced: http://www.horse.com/Saxon-Childs-La...7-000423bb4e79
..and the elastic sided (yes, I realize these have a zip in the center front, but zipped it looks unintrusive in the picture ) :

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product...&zmap=X1-38566

And for those looking to shoe older boys who might be able to wear a women's size 5 or higher, J.C.Penny carries a $30.00 version of those same shoes, that with sales can take that down considerably. ..and yes, those often find their way into the charitable shops and consignment shops...always good to check there.

[Spinster]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

His foot measures 7-1/4 inches in length.

Michael Dec

Nope--dandy little handmade shoe, but its right at 7 3/4 outside heel to outside toe, so, he'd be out of it before US Priority Mail could get it there.

[Rmhisteach]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

Micheal ,

I have a couple of old pairs that I will try to dig up.

I will let you know.

RM

[modelf85]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

Robert Land is the man with the plan as far as shoes go. I could not be happier with my workman's boots. I have no clue about childrens' shoes though. I'm sure he could pull it off.

[PogueMahone]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

I have no clue about childrens' shoes though.

Then why respond with an answer that does no one any good?

The man is looking for a less expensive approach to clothing a small child. It is expensive to clothe children in this hobby and at the speed they grow out of things, it is hardly worth the effort.

been there, done that.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

Hallo!

Of course, age and function correct presense for children being the more authentic pursuit, however...

As shared...

You may want to check with any riding academies or stables offering riding lessons to see if anyone there has any discards.

While they are "less wrong" than "more right," the so-called "paddock boots" are kinda/sorta/maybe/a little like men's "Congress" type shoes.
And at the academies/stables are "unisex" for young riders.

They have the same problem of rapid foot growth, and will be passed down within a family before jumping families to start again. Sometimes the cycle is broken as someone quits.

EBAD is another possibility for cast off's although I have heard there is a brisk market from equestrian kit due to the same growth and growth spurt problems that plague reenactors.

Again, the authentic route is to go barefoot, bite the bullet and go authentically correct, or try to be "less wrong" (such as the old "Hush Puppy" "dessert boot" or "chuka boot" for kids dyed black.)

Curt

[Greg Barnett]

Re: need suggestions for boy's shoes

I have the same issue every year, as I have three sons. My oldest can certainly wear my shoes now so he is fine and my youngest wears my Robert Land boots as well. See picture below.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/album.php?albumid=413&pictureid=4522

Seriously, I have him a pair of leather lace up boots with leather soles. This lasts until the grass is dry or unfrozen, then they come off. See boots below. They compare very well to original boots in pictures that I have.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/album.php?albumid=413&pictureid=4528

Again it is quite difficult!

Cheers