One of my favorite eras for shoes is the 1940s.  And out of all the shoe styles in the 40′s I really love  peep toe platform heels, a style that is,  fortunately,  still popular  till this day.  Though that sexy  peep toe,  slingback platform sandal that one thinks of as an  iconic 40′s look   really started in the  1930s.  Back in the late 30s because stockings had reinforced toes and heels, many thought this shoe style would never last because it looked unsightly with the stockings. And going barelegged back then, except at the beach, was considered improper.  But women loved this new look, so eventually stocking manufacturers designed sheer hose to work with this new more open style of shoe.  As far as platforms, they really gained in popularity in the mid 40s when Carmen Miranda made them famous as part of her flamboyant signature look.

Here’s an ad for fabulous platform shoes with cutout detail and what is described as “ankle fascination”!  Came in gray, blue, brown, black and white suede for 26.95 a pair. I would have wanted every color!

Moonlight Mood 1947 platform shoes

And how about a pair of red cobra skin heels with a matching bag?  1947 Ad for WalkOver shoes from the George Keith co , a maker of high quality shoes in Brockton Mass.

Red cobra platform shoes 1947

1947 Ad for Lattice shoes “cut out to be smart”!  Pannettes by the Avon Shoe co., New York City

Lattice high heel platform sandals-1947 ad

And you could order these beauties by mail in red, green, brown and black.  Oooo, I would so love to have  a green pair.  1948 “High Spirits” shoes. Love the name!

Cute little matching bag too.

1948 ad High Spirits by Mary Jane Shoes in faux alligator

Genuine 1940s peep toe  platform shoes are getting harder to come by. But I was lucky to acquire a couple of lovely pairs that were just listed on the site.

Click on images for more information.

1940s red leather peep toe platform sandals

1940s black satin dressy peep toe platform heels

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