Till the beginning of 20th century, boots had been the main staple of men as daywear, in the evening, luxury slippers were donned in spacious court. Today, no matter it is boots or slippers, they may find a position or two in men’s wardrobe, but not many. What is the history of button boots and its status quo?
Before button boots were invented, Balmoral boots are the go-to ones。
And the first pair of button boots was not for man at all, but woman, more specifically, Queen Victoria who was a big fan of boots.
Comparing to Balmoral boots, the default shoes for men, button boots have element better expressing feminine, the buttons.
Buttons made of mother of pearl are exquisite and tender.
Men never wanted to lose in the fashion war, as you know they are all peacocks inside, button boots quickly entered their armoury.
The mass can own button boots until middle 19th century thanks to industrial button sewing machine invention by American James Morley.
Button boots never unlaced like laced up shoes if you don’t tie up a good knot, however, to button the boots are very time comsuming if you don’t have proper tools.
Button hook is for this purpose and Abbeyhorn from UK is the famous proprietary.
After half century welcoming in elite circles, at the beginning of 20th century button boots were seen by many tasteful citizens, however, it suddenly fell around WWI.
The upper class still favored this model, maybe for its reminder of the good old days.
1933 marked the date when “button boots die” stamped by magazine TIME.
From then on, button boots never made a comeback to mass public. Today, only a few shoemakers offer this model except bespoke ateliers.
The ones I can tell are: Aubercy from France, Enzo Bonafe from Italywho makes shoes for Aubercy then carries some, Kanpekina from Japan and J.FitzPatrick for US.
Whether they can bring us back to the old time or show other we are peacock inside is not sure, but they are only for the discerning gentlemen without doubt.
