Make Modern Shoes Historical (on a Budget!)

[@VBirchwood]

Isn't Rúna a little cutie?! I hope you enjoyed today's video! Thanks so much for watching. I just wanted to announce that I have launched a shop now where you can buy antiques from my own personal collection! I ship worldwide and 5% of the shop sales will be donated to United Help Ukraine. www.vbirchwood.com/shop

[@midnightwolf7131]

Rúna is my new reason for living ❤️

[@bonniehyden962]

I've been perusing every thrift store I find for a base shoe I can use for mid-18th century ensemble on which I am still working. I've not found anything yet. However, I've not thought about leather paints, either. That just might broaden my scope. Thank you, V.!

[@VBirchwood]

It’s great you’ve been on the hunt for a good base! 18th c. can definitely be a little bit trickier, so also keep your eyes out for heeled mules. There’s a type of them that were worn a lot in the Georgian period and I’ve occasionally seen some modern versions that are similar and could be transformed with a lick of leather paint or dye 😊

[@bonniehyden962]

@@VBirchwood , yes M'am, I just recently added mules to my mental list after a refresher search on the web. ....which leaves me wondering how many I've passed over. LOL

[@18thcenturyfan]

Rúna is so freaking adorable! I love how the shoes turned out! Definitely love the olive green better than Daphne Green 😄 Shoe clips are also new to me, I need to look into those!

[@VBirchwood]

Thank you!! I think she’s so adorable too. Though I’m very biased 😂 The olive is so so much better than the Daphne green lol. I think you’ll love shoe clips. They’re so versatile!

[@mspennywhistle]

The shoes turned out beautifully, what a great option for historical shoes! They can get very expensive especially if you’re going for a bunch of different eras, so I’ll definitely keep this in mind. Also Runa is absolutely adorable!!! What a sweetheart :D

[@VBirchwood]

Thank you so so much Ms. Pennywhistle! She is such a little baby hahaha

[@donnahicks5295]

So much exciting news! Rúna is sweet and so beautiful! I love the idea of customizing shoes to match and such great advice as always. ❤️

[@VBirchwood]

Thanks so much Donna! She is such a sweet puppy and we feel really lucky to have her 🥰

[@jaehaywardkent]

this transformation was so satisfying to watch!! upcycling regular modern items into something exciting and beautiful is one of my favourite things to see🥰 really great job👍🏻 those inspo photos for the gown made me so excited to see it! can’t wait to be blessed with another of your wonderful ensembles🙌🏻🍇

[@VBirchwood]

Awww thanks so much Jae! What is up with me and all the fruit dresses!? 😂💕

[@jaehaywardkent]

@@VBirchwood i’m sO here for it hahaha

[@VBirchwood]

@@jaehaywardkent hahahaha I’m glad you are and that’s it’s not just me over here in my corner making my fruit dresses 😂

[@keikilani_bgibson]

This is such a wonderful video! I've always been scared to wear my historical garments out because I just CANNOT find the proper shoes to go with the outfit, so this is definitely something I'll be adding to my to-do list. Thank you!!

[@VBirchwood]

So glad the video has been so useful Gib! I hope you make many colourful and lovely DIY shoes in the future 🥰

[@karenkaloff3461]

hello shoes look lovely can't wait till you finish the clothing the ones I have seen are awesome heart and soul ❤ goes into every stitch beautiful work

[@VBirchwood]

Awww thank you very much Karen, I really appreciate it ❤️

[@JoelleFromParis]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video (with Runa as a guist star!). I learned so much about historical shoes and how to DIY one's own using a good base. Thanks, Vasi!

[@VBirchwood]

Aww thanks so much Joëlle! I’m glad you learned so much 😊

[@audriscarborough9309]

Just read about your new shop! What wonderful news. I wish you the very best with your new store. I'm going to check it out now! Cheers!

[@VBirchwood]

Thank you so much for checking it out!

[@katjakuitunen6961]

Runa is so cute! Now I wish to paint some shoes as well. This would be a great technique to brush up second hand shoes! You could go crazy with the decorations and colours!

[@VBirchwood]

Thank you!! I love her very much 🥰 definitely such a great option for secondhand shoes, which is what I did here too

[@Inconnuedelaseine]

Hello Runa! Thanks for the video!!

[@VBirchwood]

She says hello back! Thanks for watching 😊

[@lefterismplanas4977]

Runa definitely likes you. And I like those shoes. I also agree with you on the olive green. The lime green remind me of a more cartoony or silly look. Where the olive one was just purrrfect

[@VBirchwood]

Thank you! I think she does, so at least let’s me pet her belly a lot! Lol. And yes agreed, I couldn’t take them seriously with the bright green haha

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Rúna is very sweet Congratulations on your new shop I enjoyed watching you modify the shoes! They look lovely.

[@VBirchwood]

Thank you so much Catherine! She is such a fluffy sweetheart 🥰

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

@@VBirchwood yay!

[@audriscarborough9309]

Hello, What a terrific idea! Thank you for sharing all the information about how to paint the leather. I didn't know you could order such wonderful colors of leather paint! You could use it to craft a lovely little coin purse or... so many things. Your new K9 family member is adorable! Congratulations to your family and your puppy. It's always a beautiful thing when an animal gets a loving forever home. As always I appreciate your ideas, and the way you present them to us. You always give the important details and you think about what is available to the average person watching. I really appreciate that you have not changed your style of being inclusive of everyone viewing your channel and respectful of the fact that a great deal of people struggle with finances! Please, keep up the wonderful work you are doing on your channel. I can't wait to see your "Grape Dress"! It's going to be fun. With happiness, Audri

[@VBirchwood]

Hi Audri! Thanks so much for your kind words. I grew up with many financial struggles and have had to be very financially conscious into adulthood, so it matters to me that this hobby is as accessible as possible, because there are ways to make it more so 😊 I hope you’re keeping well! Vasi

[@Taradoxxi]

oooh this is JUST what I needed right now, I’ve been hunting for more historical looking shoes and been wondering if I should just customize a pair

[@VBirchwood]

Oooo perfect timing! It’s a super easy process and I highly recommend going for it!

[@ericalarochelle3779]

I look forward to seeing the making process for the rest of the ensemble and good luck keeping puppy damage to a minimum!

[@VBirchwood]

Thanks so much Erica! She’s been pretty good thankfully, just minimal damage 😊

[@firecracker3911]

Adorable!

[@VBirchwood]

Thank you! 🥰

[@Eo-bo6sf]

This was a very timely video! I needed the emotional boost. Your puppy is so adorable and I love how the shoes turned out!

[@VBirchwood]

Awww I’m so glad it was so timely Luna! 💕thanks so much!

[@carolinemaluca]

What an awesome tutorial V! I love how the shoes looked at the end and yes, the olive green looked gorgeous! Now about your baby girl, how adorable she is! Awwwww! 😍💚

[@VBirchwood]

Hehehe thank you so much! She is such a sweetie 🥰

[@elizabethraitanen5057]

Love the puppy and the shoes! Great video! Hello from Canada.

[@VBirchwood]

Thanks so much! 🥰

[@22mononoke]

OMG Runa is sooo cute!! Also very excited to see this new project come to life :-)

[@VBirchwood]

Thank you so much!! I hope you’re well, happy to see you here 😊

[@EternalGoddess]

The cutest puppy!

[@VBirchwood]

She sure is!! ❤️

[@soleigard]

I love your channel. You seems to be very pleasant person and your videos are amazing!

[@VBirchwood]

Aww thank you very much 🥰 I’m glad you enjoy them! I certainly enjoy making them.

[@bossyboots5000]

The shoes are adorable. 😊You were so dead on with the advice! Heel shape is one of the things that most dates a shoe IMO. BTW, square toes were popular in the 90s, so anyone who is looking for a square toed shoe may be able to find something from the 90s at thrift stores or on ebay. Also, there is a brand called Miz Mooz (I think they're Italian? - Euro sizing) that makes lovely vintage inspired shoes. They're not the cheapest brand but they're leather and very well made and durable in my experience, and they're cheaper than actual historical shoes. Oh, and shoe clips were also popular in the 80s, so you may be able to find some from that era, which may be more affordable than older vintage ones. Hope that helps someone out there. Also... PUPPY! 😍 So cute to see the two of you together. Thanks for sharing 😊 ETA - P.S. You painting your shoes reminded me of Little Women, where one of the girls paint her shoes to look like the satin shoes she couldn't afford. 👍 Oh, and I forgot to say that your blouse is lovely.

[@VBirchwood]

Thanks so much! 🥰 90s shoes with their square toes are definitely great for historical flips 😁 The puppy is finally starting to settle in! And is growing up very fast 😊

[@CyberianWaste]

Runa is so adorable, and so floofy!! Get used to gobs of dog hair rolling around the house 😁

[@VBirchwood]

Hahaha thank you! She sure is! Strangely, she barely sheds! I’ve only seen her ever she’d a few hairs this month, I have absolutely no idea why 😂

[@jessicabey275]

The amethyst and citrine bracelets are gorgeous plus citrine is my birthstone so I may be a little biased ☺️

[@VBirchwood]

Thank you! You’re a November baby! They’re paste citrine and amethyst but still so, so beautiful! And I was shocked they still have their original tags 😅

[@jessicabey275]

@@VBirchwood yep nov 7th 😄 I still think they are gorgeous

[@nicolawebb6025]

This is a great tutorial. I painted a pair of shoes as a teen and it flaked off because, well, I was 14 and had noooo idea what I was doing. Not a criticism, but I find it really peculiar when an American says quid, it just sounds wrong. I'm British and my husband is Canadian and I can't hear him do it either 😄😄

[@VBirchwood]

Thanks so much Nicola! I'm Tatar/Cossack-American so I grew up with mostly British English, which is why I say things like quid and use British spellings mainly 😂 I'm sure it does sound funny though lol

[@nicolawebb6025]

@@VBirchwood and it's such a peculiarly English word

[@VBirchwood]

It really is! A great option for Scrabble though 😂

[@Jhfisibejoso8pkabrvo2is8]

You're one of a handful of KZbinrs I've found who appreciate (and wear, and create) historical clothing for purposes beyond cosplay or reenactment! I love it! I used to wear a few historical pieces back before I started transitioning. But it seems there are significantly fewer men who are into historical fashion, unfortunately. Even many shops that offer quality historical pieces do not offer any men's clothing. Such a bummer, lol. Because I'd really like to redo my wardrobe and incorporate more historical styles again. I also wonder, how public perception of historical outfits differ based on gender stereotypes...? As a girl wearing historical clothing, I was often considered "modest," or complimented for being feminine or "a proper lady" But as a man, I feel the perception would be more one of....pretentiousness. I feel like the assumption would be that I'm a d-bag feigning wealth, and not some "proper gentleman."

[@VBirchwood]

Thanks so much! Have you watched Vintagebursche at all? I actually interviewed him for my channel a while back, and he’s a daily wearer of historical fashion and had a lot of interesting insight. We discuss the differences too between our experiences and wearing historical fashion, me being female identifying and him male. I really wish there was more representation for men’s historical fashion as well and I’m glad that I’ve recently seen more men pursuing it, regardless of the pretentiousness assumption that society so often tends to have. society assuming I’m a “modest, proper lady” drives me mad though 😂

[@iainmc9859]

Historically accurate shoes is the great expensive bugbear, as you said. With a limited number of suppliers in any country what you often end up with at a period show is a lot of people with the same shoes, which of course is totally historically inaccurate. Totally with you on looking for something 'in the style of' and then adapting it. I'd never heard of shoe clips before (every day's a school day). I'd always wondered why so many people had lost their brooch and hadn't heard it fall. What does the back look like ? I know its early but I presume its not coincidence that its Suffragette colours. More of Runa, she's gorgeous; she's going to be a big doggy 🐶

[@VBirchwood]

In the video, I show the back of it when displaying the supplies, it has a clip much like a scarf clip 😊 the suffragette colours were a happy coincidence but I’m happy it turned out so! Thanks so much! Surprisingly the vet actually said she’s almost done growing, so she’s going to be a forever puppy 😂

[@iainmc9859]

@@VBirchwood Whoops, missed the back of the shoe clips when I skip watched it to check the date of the dress. I am presuming that shoe clips and scarf clips are thus interchangeable. Forever puppies are best; I've got a forever kitten, fully grown runt of the litter 🐈

[@LiljaHusmo]

Not to be dramatic but I would die for Rúna 🥺♥️

[@LiljaHusmo]

Lovely video ♥️ and the shoes looks so lovely in the end! I still cat get out my head that the first round of green gave off a distinct Daphne vibe 😂

[@VBirchwood]

Isn’t she just so sweet? 😭🥲 And thank you Lilja! ❤️ I really did not like the Daphne green 😂

[@IuliaBlaga]

We do have a stray dogs/cats problem here in Romania so I'm glad to hear one of them found a home.

[@VBirchwood]

Definitely so many strays need homes in Romania! It’s actually quite hard to get young rescues in the U.K., (we’re training her as an emotional support animal, so wanted to rescue a puppy) so we started to look abroad and we are so lucky to have Rúna in our lives now 🥰

[@IuliaBlaga]

@@VBirchwood Well she is absolutely adorable! I adopted my dogs from acquaintances who had litters they didn't plan on. It really breaks my heart that so many people just abandon them :(

[@VBirchwood]

It truly is so sad, but lovely that we can give at least a few animals homes 🥰

[@rebekahellenburg8369]

What a lovely pup

[@VBirchwood]

Thank you 😊

[@melissagoings1]

You do realize Runa will steal the show, right?🤗 Looking forward to the new dress. 😁

[@VBirchwood]

Yes! This will now become a puppy wears historical fashion every day channel 😂 thanks so much! Excited to share it bit by bit 😊

[@SimpleDesertRose]

OMGoodness 😍😍😍 Rúna is so adorable. Congratulations on your new puppy. We recently added a little black kitten to the homestead. She is a little fireball of energy too. She attacks everything. 😂 She even caught her first mouse a couple weeks ago. Enjoy Rúna's playfulness while you can. Eventually she will turn into a little couch potato and just want to lay with you while you sew. I'm not really one for shoes. I never have been. Mostly because I have wide feet and its makes it difficult to find shoe that fit. Then there is the fact that I spend most of my time barefoot. When I do to places and must put my shoes on it wear sandals when its hot or my western boots which do fit my feet. My daughter is really into crafting and getting into history bounding maybe we can find her some shoes to DIY. She has a much easier time then I do finding shoes. Anyways thanks for showing off your new puppy, she really is adorable. I hope she doesn't destroy too many things while she is on his stage. See you in a couple weeks. ❤️

[@VBirchwood]

Thanks so much DesertRose for your comment! I’m sure your daughter would greatly enjoy DIY-ing her own pair of shoes, it could be a super fun weekend project actually! See you in a couple of weeks ❤️

[@jessicabey275]

Oh she got so fluffy!

[@VBirchwood]

She just had a little bath the other day! That and she’s nearing a healthy weight now so she’s starting to fill out a little bit 🥰

[@jessicabey275]

@@VBirchwood 😍 she is adorable Definitely like the olive green better, can't wait to see upcoming videos! Plus I never thought about painting shoes, there gas been plenty of times where I passed on shoes because of the color!

[@aperfecttouch]

Excellent and inspiring tutorial! Just discovered you and subscribed.

[@VBirchwood]

Ahh thanks so much! Welcome to the channel 🥰

[@yerbamatte5]

find some beat up used pointe shoes if you really need that romantic square toe

[@VBirchwood]

Yes exactly!

[@EternalGoddess]

@@VBirchwood You can buy demi-pointe shoes from most ballet brands these days - they're the shape of traditional pointed but don't have the support!

[@carolinemaluca]

@@EternalGoddess yes! I had those, they are perfect!

[@m.maclellan7147]

Runa is adorable! When I have a "bitey" puppy I always YELP in a loud high pitched voice - just like a hurt puppy would ! You want your puppy to learn that humans are WIMPS, & they have to be gentle to humans. It is called "bite inhabition" should you want to investigate more ! If you can, try to find a puppy about same age & weight & have "puppy playdates" a couple times a week. That way the puppy rough houses with another dog, & will behave much better ! Some puppy obedience classes have an off leash play period before class, which is ideal. BUT, make sure it's a "force free" class. Puppies have a hard time "shutting off" the rowdy behavior, so positive methods are WAY better ! 😀 Best of luck.

[@VBirchwood]

Thanks so much! This is all exactly what we do actually 🥰 she has another puppy she plays with too about her age and she loves it so much 😊

[@jennglow4647]

Very cool 😀

[@watsonmelon6575]

These shoes are very cute but Rúna is so much cuter!

[@VBirchwood]

Thank you Watson Melon! Great to see you here. She is such a sweet puppy! So fluffy hahaha

[@sarahhavillamelooliveira5825]

Rúna is cute. I have a little one too.

[@JixieDyeAuthor]

I am aiming for a 1830's to 1840's shoe. I don't need to paint mine, as most of my dresses would suit a cream or tan shoe, so i am simply going to add a shoe clip and some laces in a cream colour to add the effect I want.

[@VBirchwood]

That’s a great idea! Especially for the decade, laces would make an incredible difference.

[@JixieDyeAuthor]

@@VBirchwood WOW thanks for replying! I got the idea because my mum added silver laces to a pair of silver high heeled shoes I wore for my birthday party. Then, seeing you talk about laces on some shoes, I got the idea. I would love to dress in full historical dress every day, but I am limited funds wise. I have four dresses so far and love wearing them, even though they are not entirely historically accurate, I still feel like a princess wearing them! Where do you get your corsets from. I wish I could sew, but unfortunately I am visually impaired and can only sew things like buttons. I would love to make my own clothes, but I am stuck with what I can buy unfortunately.

[@VBirchwood]

Sewing things like buttons is still a wonderful accomplishment! And how lovely that you’ve found a few dresses that make you feel like a princess 😊 I get my corsets made bespoke by a corsetiere named TheBoudoirKey. She is closed for commissions at the moment to catch up on existing orders but her work is impeccable (and well priced for bespoke corsetry).

[@emilyparker4316]

Fabulous tutorial dollface xoxoxo

[@VBirchwood]

Thank you! Xx

[@emilyparker4316]

Absolutely adorable puppy

[@emilyparker4316]

I love your creativity

[@emilyparker4316]

Love bites from the puppy💕

[@emilyparker4316]

They do chew on everyone and everything

[@goonercestlavie]

Très cool, bravo. Transformation. Renaissance

[@VBirchwood]

Merci! 😊

[@m.maclellan7147]

Historically 'Adequate' !!!

[@VBirchwood]

Definitely the epitome of historically adequate! 😂😊

[@m.maclellan7147]

@@VBirchwood Well, for me the "have fun" bit should come first always! Lol !

[@LualaDy]

A like for the puppy!!!!!

[@VBirchwood]

Hehehe thank you 😅 she deserves all of them because of how sweet she is! Lol

[@JennySimon206]

I just watched some videos of a woman who makes her own historical type shoes and boots. My feet are two different sizes. I hate shoe shopping. Can never find anything I like that fits in person and online they never fit right. Arg. I'm thinkibg of becoming a cobbler just so I can have some actually fantastic shoes.

[@war5561]

Did you get her dna results back?!

[@VBirchwood]

We did yes! She’s pure breed actually, 100% Eastern European Village Dog 🥰 it’s a breed that’s been around for over 10,000 years!

[@radovankubaliak7955]

💙🏰💙

[@mint4444]

🐕❤

[@swimmerbc]

More puppy content please :) :) :)

[@VBirchwood]

It’ll be happening! 🥰

[@charliecat5686]

The clips look like dress clips from 1930s.

[@VBirchwood]

They’re very similar! Except available in pairs, I think that’s the main difference.