The groundwork was laid well before the decade began. Designer Claire McCardell had partnered with Capezio as early as the 1940s to put a street version of the ballet slipper on everyday women’s feet. Audrey Hepburn did the rest — wearing flats in Sabrina (1954) and Funny Face (1957) gave the style its first real moment in American popular culture. By 1956, Rose Repetto had made a pair for Brigitte Bardot to wear in And God Created Woman, giving flats a French fashion credential to go with the Hollywood one. The shoe arrived at 1960 with a lot of cultural support already in place.
What shifted mid-decade was the mod look out of London. Mary Quant’s mini skirts and the gamine silhouette made popular by Twiggy worked against stilettos — a spindly heel undercut the whole lean, youthful geometry that defined the era’s dominant aesthetic. Squared toes pushed out pointed ones by roughly 1964 or 1965, and block heels of about an inch to an inch and a half became the standard for dress-appropriate low footwear.
The pilgrim-buckle pump Roger Vivier designed for Yves Saint Laurent’s 1965 Mondrian collection — worn by Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour two years later — sold tens of thousands of pairs and sent the buckled, low-heel silhouette into wide circulation. More women entering the workforce and college also helped; a flat shoe worked for all of it in a way that a stiletto simply didn’t.
Specific styles spread through the mainstream by mid-decade. T-strap slingbacks with adjustable back buckles showed up across mail-order catalogs. Kiltie loafers got perforated trim and bow accents. Brocade slippers from companies like Daniel Green sold steadily as evening and at-home wear, often in metallic gold or named colors like “Ming Blue” and “Heaven Blue.” By the end of the decade, the flat had moved well past its “comfort shoe” reputation and was a legitimate dress category in its own right.
The silhouette didn’t last long in its sixties form. By the early 1970s, platforms and wedges had taken over, and the low block heel gave way to considerably more height. But the decade established flats as a permanent option for dress and semi-formal occasions — a category that stayed in women’s wardrobes even as specific styles cycled in and out. Ballet flats cycled back into fashion in the 1980s, again in the 1990s, and again in the 2000s, each time drawing on the same basic look that Hepburn, Bardot and the mod era had put into place.
The collection below brings together vintage catalog pages, print ads and style photography from across the decade — T-straps, slingbacks, kiltie loafers and brocade slippers from brands like Daniel Green and Cobbies, mostly from the mid-to-late 1960s. Squared toes and tiny block heels throughout.
Timely T-straps opened up… tiny heels… blunt toes (1968)
Opened-up slingback is strapped to a ‘T’ with airy front inserts. All leather or vinyl patent uppers with adjustable back buckle. New squared toe and little block heel.
T-strap and contrasting saddle stitching accent fine crushed leather uppers. Back heel strap has hidden gore as does side buckle to assure comfortable, secure fit. New slightly blunted toe and little heel.
A dash of vivid leather is but-toned atop nylon straw-like up-pers. Foam-lined insole.
Little heeled slingback. Uppers of straw-like Rip/ea R —DuPont’s lustrous nylon ribbon yarn. Resists scuffs, stains and sponges clean with warm, soapy water. Vinyl trim.
Vintage ’60s flats, slippers and other low-heel footwear
Bangkok… holiday decoration afoot
Oriental brocade lined with satin. In black, Heaven blue, Ming blue, pink, red and white with gold. AA and B widths. $6.00, slightly higher west of the Rockies.
Daniel Green — Made in USA — Comfy, comfy, comfy
Vintage ballet flat shoes in blue metallic brocade (1963)
Bangkok… Oriental elegance plus American at-home ease
… all done up for Christmas in a glimmery brocade, with tip-tilted toe and deep-cushioned sole. Ming Blue, Heaven Blue, red, pink, white, black. AA and B widths. $6.00, slightly higher west of the Rockies.
Where to buy it? The Daniel Green Company, Dolgeville, New York, will be happy to send you a list of your stores in your area which carry this comfy slipper, or will order it for you.
ALSO SEE: Vintage Keds Grasshoppers shoes for women (1970s)
DON’T MISS: Vintage shoe stores: See what shoe shopping really used to be like
Coquette cut-outs flirt with fashion
Cobra-look, leather, and daisy toe styles
Blunt toe licked the look of cobra and topped with a flirty bow. All leather upper sling back has adjustable back buckle. New square-shaped block heel.
Strapped with the cobra-look and buckled with a hidden elastic gore to fit easily and comfortably. Smart closed casual has all leather uppers and newest squared heel and toe.
Opened up look: Airy little slingback has front straps caught at the side with a tiny button. Fine quality leather uppers with elastic gore under button for comfortable fit. New squared heel and blunt toe.
Delightful daisy: Cut-out daisy — the fun trim for swinging feet! Sling back styling is all girl from the little chunky heel to the squared toe. All leather uppers with adjustable buckle at back.
Frivolous 60s flats with terrific trims
Wild! Inside and out: Fashionable flat shoes for women
The jazzy, racy little shoe in the brightest colors ever
Daring, wild, bright, brash color combos brighten the leather uppers of these airy shoes. And they’re wild inside, too . . gay flowers splash over the softly cushioned nylon tricot linings. Composition sole and heel.
The popular fashion pump. Softly cushioned nylon tricot lining. stacked-look. Sturdy composition sole.
Perky sling. Vinyl trim and adjustable sling strap. Graceful and composition sole.
Discover gold… and comfort, too! (1965)
Gilda …the dashing gold slipper that plays a sparkling role at your holiday parties. Designed for an at-ease life, in opulent gold lame with harmonizing quilted satin lining, bonded cellulose innersole.
ALSO SEE: 1930s shoes for women: 100 vintage styles
Colorful casual flats for women – from the ’60s
For a change of pace… a casual with pebble-grained pigskin upper and smooth leather trim
The perfect shoe for miles of fashionable comfort. Team it with the latest in textured hose and you’re ready for fun!
Perky kiltie with bow accent plus perforated trim at heel and new broader square toe. Hidden elastic gore for smoother fit, composition sole and color-matched heel. Nylon tricot lined for barefoot feel. Sturdy steel shanks for added support.
The exotic beauty of the Orient, captured in rich brocade
Low-heel Daniel Green shoes from 1969
Do as the Romans do. Patter around your palazzo in Moondust, our soundless Italian-inspired loafer, with gilded chains and rhinestones. Gold or silver lame, also black or white moire. AA and B widths. $8. Slightly higher Denver West.
Petite…exquisite polyester crepe slip-on for taking your leisure fashionably. Dazzling confection colors: hot pink, champagne, copen blue, red, turquoise, black. Is easily cleanable. AA and B widths. $8.
Cobbies vintage ’60s flats
A little light luxury, please… Cobbies give it to you in the smartest little T-strap ever to lift a summer breeze.
Airy, light and cool in smooth-woven nylon straw trimmed with imported Swiss braid. On the inch-high heel you love. And cushioned all the way!
Flats are for fun
Four swinging styles… all with low heels and slightly squared toes
SEE MORE: These vintage 1960s shoes for women were fashionable & far out
Flats for women you can buy today
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3 Responses
LOVE LOVE LOVE YOUR NOSTALGIC WEB SITE. KEEP BRINGING MORE. MID CENTURY HOMES, VINTAGE BATHROOMS, VINTAGE DINERS,THE 50’S,
THANK YOU!
I am still looking for the Joyce pronounced Joycee that were wildly popular in Canton Ohio. Black suede wedge shoe lace up, one or two holes. 1960’s low wedge and so popular you could never find your size unless you were there when they came to the store!!!!
i loved the fancy shoes the girls were wearing when i was a kid in the 60s!