Up close: Antique Edwardian boots & why this early‑1900s style is still eye-catching

In the early 1900s, a good pair of boots was an everyday essential. Edwardian boots had to be practical, sturdy and in step with the fashion of the time. As women moved more freely through public spaces, from city sidewalks to dance halls, their footwear had to keep up. The photos that follow show a rare surviving example of that kind of boot — an original pair likely made in the 1910s, complete with the details that defined the era. It’s one thing to see drawings of vintage boots in old catalogs, but quite another to look at a pair that has survived a hundred years.

Edwardian boots evolved from the heavier, more structured styles of the Victorian period. Earlier boots often had taller shafts, stiff construction, and decorative elements that reflected formal dressing. By the turn of the century, footwear started to follow the changes in women’s clothing. Skirts were getting narrower, the silhouette was more fluid, and boots responded with a slimmer fit, pointed toes and lower heels. The shape was cleaner and better suited to a lifestyle that now included more time outside the home.

The pair shown here has many of the key features of the time: a mid-calf height, full front lacing, a moderate heel, and a sharply pointed toe. While we don’t have a specific date of manufacture for these vintage black leather boots, we’re guessing they’re from around the Edwardian era — anytime from about 1908 to roughly 1920. We do know they were made by the Craddock-Terry Shoe Corporation in Lynchburg, Virginia, which (according to the hotel that’s now on the site of that factory) was once the fifth largest shoe company in the world. The boots are marked “Craddock – Bench Made” on the sole. Note: These are not the original shoelaces.

Boots like these were often worn with long skirts and shirtwaists, and they had to strike a balance between style and function. The leather needed to hold up to regular wear, and the shape had to support walking, working, or going out. These were everyday shoes, designed for women navigating the new pace of modern life. Catalogs of the time often emphasized a proper fit and reliable style, with the understanding that a well-made boot was part of any respectable wardrobe.

We’ve also included a period advertisement at the end that shows a similar style sold around 1915. It reflects the same general shape and construction found in the real-life pair shown here. Together, the images offer a close-up look at one of the most practical and recognizable pieces of Edwardian-era fashion.