Get the retro look! See popular 70s shoes that are back in style

Women's shoes from the 1979 Sears catalog

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These popular 70s shoes have an enduringly fun & funky vibe

Did you know that some of those funky and fabulous footwear styles of the 70s were somewhat inspired by 1940s shoes? Well, in fashion everything that goes around comes around — and apparently comes around again! Now some of those 70s shoes for women have come back into style (and some of them never left).

Have a scroll through these Sears catalog pages from 1979, along with some other vintage ads, to see the wide variety of 70s shoes available for women (not all of which were actually fashionable even at that time) — as well as modern versions you can buy today.
 
Vintage Thom McAn shoes from 1979

Sexy shoes add zing to spring: Women’s shoes from 1979

Article from Lancaster Eagle-Gazette (Lancaster, Ohio) – March 22, 1979

Spring ’79 will be a season of sensuality for footwear — and glove-like fabrications, bright colors, sculpted heels and “echoes of the ’40s” are the trends to watch, reports the Footwear Council.

The shape is closer to the foot, rounder, softer — and that goes for business shoes, sports shoes and dress shoes for men, women and children.

Women will become familiar with the “citisandal” and the “fisherman” shoe this spring. The former boasts stacked heels in myriad shapes and heights, a palette of colors ranging from pale neutrals such as champagne, sand and pebble to clear, crisp brights such as honeydew green, pale banana, Pacific turquoise and Chinese red.

There will be a large variety of strap combinations, perforations and cutouts featured in the shoes, fabricated in soft leathers and supple suedes.

Vintage 1979 Gallenkamp shoes

Sporty and sophisticated women’s shoes from the 1979 Sears catalog

The French-inspired fisherman sandal works with pants or skirts, goes sporty or sophisticated. This style can be an intricate jumble of criss-crossing straps, or just two buttery-soft folds of leather. It can rest on flat-flat heels or scooped-out wedges, stacked mid-heels or stiletto spikes.

Retro 70s Bass shoes for women (1979)

Madewell Women's The Rina Fisherman Flat
$138.00

Available in brown or black leather, this fisherman's sandal is a classic and comfortable casual flat that never goes out of style!

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06/04/2023 12:52 am GMT

For the casual fisherman, check out delicate snakeskins and linens, the Footwear Council suggests. For a fisherman’s elegant evening ashore, perhaps nubuck, soft and velvety as a summer night.

The council also reports an assortment of disco shoes that defy description. Fantasy is the key: glamour and sparkle, bursts of color and strappy metallics, the highest of heels and the barest look possible — but the chic-est as well.

Vintage 1979 Naturalizer shoes


See the catalog: Women’s shoes from the 1979 Sears catalog

Retro high heel shoes with open toes and in 70s platform and pump styles

Retro high heel shoes with open toes and in 70s platform and pump styles


Vintage strappy heels and sandals for women from 1979

Vintage strappy heels and sandals for women from 1979


Strappy heels and sandals plus patent and canvas handbags to match

Retro shoe fashions with strappy heels and sandals plus patent and canvas handbags to match


Vintage dressy high-heel sandals with wood soles and leather uppers

Vintage dressy high-heel sandals with wood soles and leather uppers from 1979

Marc Fisher Women's Acres Heeled Sandal
$150.64

Step out in 70s disco chic with the Marc Fisher Acres strappy platform high heel sandal. This simple, yet sexy sandal features a covered block heel and an adjustable skinny wraparound ankle strap. You'll be a dancing queen in no time with these stunners.

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06/04/2023 12:55 am GMT

Stylish perforated 70s shoes for women – sandals and clogs

Stylish perforated shoes for women from the 70s - sandals and clogs


High-heeled sandals and ballet wedges plus ankle strap vintage shoes for women

High-heeled sandals and ballet wedges plus ankle strap vintage shoes for women

DREAM PAIRS Women's Revona Low Wedge Ankle Strap Flats Shoes
$39.99

Elevate your look with these versatile low wedge ballerina flats that style with everything!

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06/04/2023 12:55 am GMT

Shoes with moccasin toe urethane upppers and plantation crepe rubber soles from 1979

Shoes with moccasin toe urethane upppers and plantation crepe rubber soles from 1979


Sporty stitch trim Oxford athletic shoes from 1979

Sporty stitch trim Oxford athletic shoes from 1979


Retro casual shoes for women with brown leather uppers and rubber soles

Retro casual shoes for women with brown leather uppers and rubber soles


70s-style Oxfords with brown leather uppers and wavy platform soles

70s-style Oxfords with brown leather uppers and wavy platform soles


Vintage moccasin-style shoes and slip-on footwear for women from 1979

Vintage moccasin-style shoes and slip-on footwear for women from 1979


Sandals with cork soles and chunky heels

Sandals with cork soles and chunky heels from 1979


Vintage low-profile walking shoes for women

Vintage low-profile walking shoes for women from 1979


Mid-heel brown leather sandals from the ’70s with wood and cork soles

Vintage mid-heel brown leather sandals from the '70s with wood and cork soles


Stylish 70s shoes for women with ornamental vamps and metal trim and square heels

Stylish 70s pumps for women with ornamental vamps and metal trim and square heels


Walking sandals for women in the 70s – low square heels and cork wedge soles

Walking sandals for women in the 70s - low square heels and cork wedge soles


Sophisticated dressy sandals from 1979 – wedges and T-straps plus pumps and heels

Sophisticated dressy sandals from 1979 - wedges and T-straps plus pumps and heels


Vintage open-toe high-heel sandals with T-straps and knotted vamps plus ankle straps

Vintage open-toe high-heel sandals with T-straps and knotted vamps plus ankle straps

JOY IN LOVE Women's Wedge Platform Sandals
$55.99

Take the dressy drama of wedge sandals to new soaring new heights with these cork-heeled peep toe platform shoes!

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06/04/2023 12:42 am GMT

Retro crafted-look sandals – crochet-look, macrame-style and hemp heels from 1979

Retro crafted-look sandals - crochet-look, macrame-style and hemp heels from 1979


Luxurious 70s kidskin sandals with cross vamps, T-straps and ruffle trims plus cork sole

Luxurious 70s kidskin sandals with cross vamps, T-straps and ruffle trims plus cork sole


Conservative shoes for women – leather uppers and mid-heel

Vintage conservative shoes for women from 1979 - leather uppers and mid-heels


Retro leather and urethane dress boots for women

ALSO SEE: Go-go boots & mod stretch vinyl boots were super trendy women’s footwear in the 60s & 70s

Retro leather and urethane dress boots for women from 1979


Retro Motion-Ease Sole Shoes with molded rubber soles

Retro Motion-Ease Sole Shoes with molded rubber soles - from 1979

MORE LIKE THIS: Vintage Famolare shoes: The wavy-sole platform wedges that were hot in the ’70s


70s casual clogs for women with brown leather uppers and natural wood platforms

Vintage 70s casual clogs for women with brown leather uppers and natural wood platforms

Steve Madden Women's Brooklyn-1 Mule
$42.76

A wood-like block heel and stud details define this summer-ready, versatile shoe.

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06/04/2023 12:42 am GMT

Cool and comfortable fabric heels and espadrilles from 1979

ALSO SEE: His and hers matching clothes: Was this 1970s unisex clothing trend romantic or weird?

Cool and comfortable fabric heels and espadrilles from 1979


Vintage casual 70s shoes – oxfords, espadrilles, slip-ons and ballet flats

Vintage casual shoes - oxfords, espadrilles, slip-ons and ballet flats

MAISON LQ Espadrilles for Women - Handmade in France
$69.00

Espadrilles are a chic and comfortable choice for walking, driving, traveling, lounging at home or working from home in style. Light, flexible and adaptable to all foot shapes, this shoe design has stood the test of time for centuries!

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06/04/2023 12:55 am GMT

Fabric casuals and tennis shoes from the ’70s

Vintage women's fabric casuals and tennis shoes from the 70s

DON’T MISS: Vintage shoe stores: See what shoe shopping really used to be like

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Comments on this story

One Response

  1. My mother worked for Sears for 30 years, from 1974 to 2004. We had Sears e v e r y t h i n g. I’d given anything to see those shoes in person again. We had multiples of these styles as my sister, mom and I wore so many of the sandals, and my dad wore Jeepers, too, never Keds. Mom’s discount and our low budget ensured that. Still, everything was of high quality and I miss it so much. Thanks for this post!!!

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