Shoes

Unknown

1869 · silk, linen, leather · Costume Institute

Throughout the history of Western fashion, the most common choice of babies' footwear has been booties, as they provide superior warmth and comfort for the foot and stay on better than open shoes. Fashion, however, has repeatedly offered alternatives to this most practicable style. This pristine pair of dressy infant's shoes is designed in the more mature style of the bar or strap shoe, which would later become immortalized as the Mary Jane style. The copious lace and ribbon trimming is a particularly appealing element which adds interest and serves to highlight the precious and delicate nature of the baby herself.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1869

Medium

silk, linen, leather

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Samuel Riker, 1965