My Favorite Surprises in 200 years of Shoes in the Leicestershire Museum

[@animosity9197]

Those faux-snakeskin boots really give you SUCH an impression of the woman who wore them. They're flashy, they're large, they're heavily worn. This was a woman who had stuff to DO and she did not care about being flashy!

[@findingbeautyinthepain8965]

Thank you for bringing this woman to life for us! 😍 Great description!

[@vaughangarrick]

The impression being this end up

[@elainew2230]

She was probably a tall queen... maybe 6' tall. Probably had those boots custom made to get a large size like that. I hope she had a good life.

[@maddieb.4282]

I sure would have loved to be friends with her!!

[@debbylou5729]

Or it was a guy

[@nekkidnora]

Oh man, as a woman with size 13 shoes, the last one made my heart pound. It's just... women my size- height, width, weight, shoulder width and hip size and foot size- we don't really seem to exist anywhere in history. We barely exist in specialty stores in modern day, and most of those are either for wide OR tall, and never both. It's just nice to see literally anything that could have almost fit me.

[@moniqueleigh]

Right!?!?!?!?!!! I'm usually in a size 10.5-11 (depending on what kind of shenanigans the designers have decided to incorporate -- my feet are roughly 10.25" long), but you are so right that finding tall AND plus size is nearly impossible in modern stores, much less historic artifacts. (Historically, probably because our stuff got *worn* until it nearly fell apart or got cut down into smaller items. So how lovely to find something like these!) I'm blown away that this person had feet as long/longer than mine and still somehow narrower. Which, that's possible?? I've had shoe salespeople absolutely freak out about how narrow my feet are (AAA at the toes, AAAA at the heels), so to see such narrow boots with wide calves -- Girl, I see you, & I bet I know how awful your feet felt at the end of a long day.

[@carriemartinez2933]

I totally agree, I'm a 6 foot tall woman with a naturally stockier build then most women, and wear a 10.5-11 shoe, finding shoes and clothing fir my height, size and build is a huge pain, most stores think bigger ladies are 5 foot and under, so I usually have to special order both shoes and pants, which is expensive and really just a huge pain in my ass!!!

[@rogerwilco2]

I suggest you have a look at the Netherlands. I'm not entirely sure what size 13 means in our EU sizes (44-45 I suppose), but that's on the upper range of shoes here. Brands like Gabor and JJ footwear and many others are some to look at.

[@Annie_Annie__]

@@carriemartinez2933I’m the same size as you. Even something as simple as _socks_ are difficult to find because they’re so short they crush my toes and the cuff digs in to my leg. But men’s socks are usually too thick for me to wear with my shoes. And Finding boot socks is impossible. I live in a fairly small city and there’s literally 2 stores locally that consistently have clothes that fit me. And they’re both tiny and don’t offer much beyond t-shirts and “you can check the website”. Just once I’d like to go to the mall and go shopping at several stores like a normal person. Anyway, when I was younger I loved reading historical fiction, and I always felt like I’d never fit in in those stories because I’d be bigger than all the men if I went back in time. I’d stick out like a sore thumb. I’ve never identified with the trope that a woman has to be petite and dainty, lol.

[@smorey123]

Women "like you" were erased from history as such body shapes were assigned class and social designations not unlike today. The notoriously emotionally and physically stiff Mary of Teck/Queen May (mother of david/Edward V; bertie/George VI; etc) had a mother (Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge) described with much unflattering language.

[@LadyWockeee]

My jaw dropped at those faux snakeskin boots. It's something I'd buy in a heartbeat. It looks similar to what's in 90% of department stores around this season. Whoever wore those must've been fabulous lol. And idk why my mind went straight to "They put those on babies?!" when you showed the small practice shoe LMAO. Great video!

[@HumanCatfoodDispenser]

Oooh, I want those faux snakeskin boots. Especially with that wide calf. I can just imagine being the woman who owned them and being like "Yup, these are my day to day shoes. All y'all haters just jealous of my style."

[@Hair8Metal8Karen]

They are so magnificent! I would love a pair of those!

[@alexandraaaron9705]

@@HumanCatfoodDispenser She DEFINITELY ROCKED!! 🎉

[@katbairwell]

Those boots, those boots! One can imagine them being donated to a charity shop thinking them from the 70s (and by Dog wouldn't you grab that bargain!) It's probably testament to my mental state after a rough few days, but when I saw those practice shoes I was absolutely expecting them to have been made for the Chinese market of the era. I was so glad they were apprentices' demonstration of ability, I was so relieved!

[@findingbeautyinthepain8965]

To be fair, putting those tiny adult looking shoes on babies doesn’t sound to far off from something the outlandish Victorians would do! 😂

[@stiofanmacamhalghaidhau765]

real history is about people, their lives, and the reasons why they did what they did, the way they did... not about wars and rulers and economies so much. this is pure, true history delivered by a true historian and it is utter joy to soak up!

[@katbairwell]

As a Leicester girl, born and bred, it brings me so much pleasure to see Nicole's excitement at one of our much undervalued historical treasures!

[@Hbinky]

It's great to see! I used to work in the Costume Museum in Wygstons House (now a pub.) Best time of my working life. This fills me with so much nostalgia.

[@hannahphillips-ryan398]

I absolutely love that last pair of boots! with such a wide calf that woman was probably pretty athletic or plus size! Its so great to see examples that disprove the survivor bias of "people were just smaller back then." I bet the woman who wore those boots was a firecracker!

[@mialemon6186]

My absolute favorite artifact of all time is a pair of stays with a 42in (I think!) waist. People were not necessarily "soooo daintyyyy" back then! We've always come in different sizes and shapes. The shiny heels on the boots just.... Our girl was here for the party and she was the party, I just know it. 💛

[@FantaSciFile]

@@mialemon6186 As soon as I saw them I thought "I would love to know more about the person who wore those shoes and I bet we'd get along really well." lol

[@tomwalker996]

I’m guessing they belonged to a drag queen

[@TrappedinSLC]

Yes! My calf muscles have always been huge due to growing up in a place with a lot of hills and then compounding it by riding horses a lot. I have a hard time finding boots now because they're rarely wide enough.

[@nidomhnail2849]

I enjoy your description of period clothing; your videos on your 1920's outfits are an example, as well as the making of Gonzo's outfit. But..... your descriptions of shoes are of a higher level. The fact that you describe each shoe and the shoemaking process is wonderful. Learning that the embroidery shoes resulted from a division of labor was amazing. You are the shoe whisperer.

[@christineheberling9922]

Nicole, you had me with your Introduction. I received my degree in Anthropology with a minor in Museum Studies. You are the first person who been. Able to explain the wonder and excitement I felt every day when I was working in the museum’s collections. People gave me odd looks when I spoke about my time working at the museum (20hrs a week working for work study and 20 hours a week as a TA)

[@maddieb.4282]

It’s wild to me that people would not be interested in that. If you were my friend I would have picked your brain and been so interested to hear about all your experiences.

[@thiseuphoria1]

I bet the size 11 boot owner was actually a 10.5. 10.5s were hard to find, even back then! Some of us are destined to always size up.

[@megb9700]

The 1790’s green silk shoes look like they would fit right in today! That kitten heel…

[@staceykersting705]

So beautiful! I LOVE that color!

[@thecreativebohemian4927]

Those snakeskin boots are my exact size. In love with them.

[@marcellacruser951]

Just have to celebrate the sheer fabulosity of those 1920's boots! It's not often I get to see footwear that belonged to a person of substantial size. We tend to walk the heels and soles off, and the guts out of, shoes and boots just from sheer weight and pressure. That they're in such good shape and made of such amazing materials... bliss! It's delightful to know that there was a big, sexy sis out there! Yay!

[@shariberry3123]

My late mother, born in 1930, told me that anytime she was lucky enough to be given a new pair of shoes as a child, that she would use them like a pillow under her head when she went to sleep that night. Shoes were often a luxury in different economies and families. I loved this video, thank you so much for your thoughtful explanations.

[@phoenixdavida8987]

Lol. Sounds uncomfortable!

[@cecilyerker]

That sounds like a good way to make your bed dirty, unless they were brand new

[@shariberry3123]

@@cecilyerker Seriously, wth is wrong with you? Brand new shoes, in other words, not so common back then during the Great Depression.

[@becauseimafan]

Oh, how interesting! This was well said, and got your point across very well. Very evocative with few words, demonstrated very well the appreciation during rough times. Thank you for sharing! (Seriously, I read your whole comment and understood. Came across just fine, don't worry about it 👍)

[@patriciamorton1068]

I love the history of shoes! Being a size 11 US myself, I really appreciate the faux snakeskin boots! Fabulous!! 😍

[@thecrazystaymaker340]

My reaction when green 1790s shoes came on screen, I love them😍😍

[@catrinabush1530]

Those last boots are just to die for. And it made my size 11 feet so happy to see historic ones in a larger size!

[@kikib8434]

Also sporting size 11 feet. 100% agree 😁.

[@jenilambert7973]

I need that first pair, they are so cute. And my tiny wedge shaped feet appreciate the width.

[@RCZeta919]

Oh these shoes are all gorgeous! I started working at an 1820s historical site about a year and a half ago, so those embroidered slippers were of special interest to me. It's such a fascinating transitional period in fashion.

[@franklinstephen3268]

👋i hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness prosperity love and peace 💞❤️🕊️🕊️ all over the world 🙏🌍 I'm originally from Canada currently living in California ☀️☀️☀️☀️and you where are you from if i may ask?💭

[@eleanorstrong8315]

All of the shoes were so interesting! The green shoe was beautiful, I could see a lovely gown to go with it. The young girl's shoe reminded me of getting new shoes at Easter to be worn on special occasions. I'm thinking the bow would have delighted a young heart. I have very wide feet and appreciated that the shoe was not overly long to be comfortable. Thank you for taking us with you and sharing your discoveries!

[@france7678]

J’ai récemment appris l’existence du Théâtre de la Mode au Maryhill Museum of Art et de leurs magnifiques poupées-mannequins . Ce serait tellement intéressant que Nicole puisse nous montrer et nous décrire les minuscules chaussures de ces poupées . Un souhait 🎁 pour 2023 !

[@Tisiloves]

I thought of you today as I wandered around the Museum of London for their last day at London Wall. 2000 years of shoes

[@jenniferlynn3537]

This video is an absolute treasure! I learned so much - and more than I might have expected - such as how miniature model shoes were made as samples, and that apprentice shoemakers had a work-project to demonstrate their mastery of the trade, and how different artisans contributed to the construction of a single pair of shoes. Your boundless curiosity and willingness to share your knowledge is an absolute privilege to watch! 😍

[@MDaggatt]

Those green 1720s shoes would fit me perfectly!!! I have extremely wide feet and wear a size 4! Plus, I live in a small town with lots of unpaved roads, so I'd get that same wear a well.

[@victoriabergesen6775]

I am interested in history, but I never imagined how fascinating fashion history could be. Shoes are shoes, no they are not. I have written books about ceramic history that explored the craft much the way you do for shoes, so I understand how much work goes into your research. Your explanations are fascinating. Thank you.

[@eileencarroll6418]

I wonder if more small sizes were saved as people grew out of them compared to sized that were large enough to be worn to the end of the shoe's useful life. Special cherished shoe's may have been saved but not used if they were too tight or uncomfortable to wear. I have to wear 11W or 12W shoes due to 30 years of rheumatoid arthritis deformity. I imagine that people of that era had to make similar accommodations with their footwear. The craftsmanship on the faux snakeskin boots is just amazing. Thank you so much for sharing such insights to our past.

[@ellenwistrom1225]

Wow, you need to recreate those snakeskin boots!!

[@ladyjusticesusan]

Well there I was with my “Oh another shoe video, snooze, boring” attitude and wow, didn’t I change my tune real quick! Wow! Your depth of knowledge is quite impressive as is your ability to convey that knowledge in an interesting and captivating manner. Knowledge is one thing but to speak and take your audience to the point where the eyes and ears just couldn’t move from the subject is another. Thank you so much for posting, you are appreciated very much. I thoroughly enjoyed this. What I came across with, and what you didn’t say out loud but truly showed to this listener, is that shoes, like corsets and other intimate items, are indeed intimate and a fantastic way to look at the past, learn, and imagine the wearers and makers, who they were and what they did and accomplished. Bravo!Very appreciated. Thank you.

[@pagodrink]

oh my goodness, those tiny sample shoes are adorable

[@alib8758]

I would kill for a pair of wide calf wide width size 11 boots. A pair that fabulous, I can only dream. What an amazing find.

[@PBromide]

I adore those tiny sample shoes. So so charming. Thank you for sharing all these wonderful shoes with us!

[@jjez61]

Watching your videos is so educational (and entertaining) and has given me a greater appreciation for shoes in general! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm with us!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

The stitched braiding on the first shoe, and the TINY stitches on the heel are incredible!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

OMG the apprenticeship shoes!!

[@dimplesd8931]

Wow! The test shoes are amazing. The smaller the item the harder the construction.

[@danaventura5998]

Those boots at the end!!

[@lindamiller3382]

I have been watching your channel off and on for a few months now. I just had to subscribe after this video. Your videos are quite interesting, but I was glued to every moment of this one. That final pair of boots is the quintessential definition of a show stopper. Wow!

[@franklinstephen3268]

👋i hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness prosperity love and peace 💞❤️🕊️🕊️ all over the world 🙏🌍 I'm originally from Canada currently living in California ☀️☀️☀️☀️and you where are you from if i may ask?💭

[@Hair8Metal8Karen]

You look really happy in this video and I like that we're seeing the capsule wardrobe in your videos! It's like a little Easter egg I could listen to you talk about shoes for as long as you were comfortable talking about them, I love hearing people talk about their interests.

[@genevievefosa6815]

I grew up when shoes were nearly all made of leather. Those leather soles were slippery. We used to take them out to the sidewalk and scrape those soles enough to abrade them, so they would not slide on every surface.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

YES. During the 1970s-80s, and into the 1990s my shoes were leather and over time would mold to my feet. Now it is "PU [ polyurethane ] leather" and my feet suffer if the shoe is not of ample size.

[@nathaliaaymbire]

Hello dear Nicole! Your channel is a real jewel. Thank you for bringing us so much content, always impeccable, beautiful and making us reflect on the authors, their work and the owners of the pieces over the centuries. Your presentation is unique and brilliant. Congratulations!

[@paulablannkenship4540]

So, When are you gonna make a pair of those AMAZING boots???

[@MrsBrit1]

These are some interesting and amazing shoes to see! It's fun to learn stuff about these historical garments. I do need to correct you, though. A US size 4 is NOT a UK 6. That would be more like clothing sizes, but not shoes. Shoes are actually a smaller number in the UK, more like US mens shoes. I'm American and wore a 7.5-8 in the States but wear a 5 (or occasionally a 5.5) in the UK. They say a US 8 is a UK 6, but those are gigantic on me. Therefore a US size 4 is more like a UK size 2, which is considered a children's/Jr shoes size.

[@kohakuaiko]

I think she swapped the numbers judging by her hands.

[@buddhabro.9130]

That's so Awesome. I'm so thankful that you shared them. OMG those faux snakeskin boots "LOVE" ! You should like do a video or two where you make a pair for yourself. Wouldnt that be fantastic! 😀

[@pmclaughlin4111]

Every time you enthusiastically describe and show these wonderful shoes, I sit muttering to myself...No No No you canNOT take up shoemaking! (Seriously, your 1920s red an black boots are definite shoe porn...I am concerned for myself if you decide to make some version of those last boots...but please consider it...)

[@findingbeautyinthepain8965]

Take it up if it will make you happy! Follow your passion. 😊

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

EXACTLY. I keep listening to Nicole describe the process and think to myself "Why suffer when I could learn to make my own shoes?" 😂😂

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

Same! My feet don't like most off-the-shelf shoes and there's that little DIY voice in my brain that says I could do it. Maybe after we buy a house big enough for my current crafty endeavors. Sigh.

[@theirreverentreader6970]

That last pair of boots would fit me!

[@susanpolastaples9688]

My 2 favourites were the green silk with rosette and the faux snakeskin boots. The girl's 1870s was the cutest. The pink leather gets me every time. Happy Christmas

[@claire2088]

those last pair of boots are incredible- I'm so happy they were well worn and (presumably) well loved

[@Canuck13]

The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto is also a fantastic resource for historical shoes!

[@LotsofWhatever]

The lady who wore those last boots would ha e been Something. No way would she have blended into the woodwork.

[@canobiecrazy]

Fascinating video! I've been falling down a rabbit hole of the history of the boot and shoe industry in Essex County, MA for a few years and hearing you talk about the same set up of shoemakers or central shops sending binding work to 'outwork' binders was neat - evidently in practice on both sides of the Atlantic!

[@sludgebuninsky]

I loved all of the shoes you showed in this video, and then the cherry on top was seeing those gorgeous faux snakeskin boots! I had to pause and show my boyfriend, and I told him that the best part is that THEY'RE MY SIZE!!! I thought that was so cool!!

[@unrulycrow6299]

These last boots! The person wearing them really meant business, they're fabulous! I could picture someone like Gwendoline Christie wearing them, she has the tall flashy flair for such shoes.

[@DipityS]

As always, a fascinating talk with you taking us into your passion and brining it alive for us. I adore those lovely little green silk pair with hardly any wear and it makes me yearn to know why they weren't used.

[@Rhaifha]

Amazing video! I wonder if the "rand" literally comes from the word for "edge" in Dutch (or German?). Also, those last boots are so cool! I want a pair. 👀

[@harleywalker8905]

Nicole, your hair has never looked better. Fabulous!

[@julieannbailey9505]

This video was absolutely fascinating! You are a wonderful teacher! Those boots!😍😍 This is the first time I have ever seen a pair of footwear in my size from any previous era!

[@user-fk2ww9fr7l]

those sweet little practice shoes remind me of that old folk tale of the shoemaker and the fairies, i believe the shoemaker wakes one night and spies some fairies in his shop and the next day he makes them some little shoes and leaves them out, and in return i think the fairies make him and his wife some beautiful clothes. i wonder if that is the origin of the story eh? love the history, great video as always

[@ivechang6720]

As someone with size 4 1/2 wide foot that first pair made me chuckle, the last pair made me moan a bit in envy. Darn, it must've felt great to take on the day wearing those beautiful babies! Rah rah for all the people who made, wore and preserved such treasures for us to celebrate. Cheers!

[@zeideerskine3462]

The flashy boots at the end look like they could have belonged to one of the last castrati. Flashy opera singer style but for a large male as castrati tend to be taller than average.

[@bellablue5285]

I adore the first example (the green ones); my size 10US would never fit and I'd be afraid of anything that delicate, but the style, the heel, the color are all very much my jam. Edit: also the 1920s faux snakeskin boots, those are amazing and I'd admittedly totally wear those. Fascinating video, and really cool to see the changes across the time (and how 'mass produced' worked back in the day, with the three examples of very similar yet slightly different in finishing)

[@maureentuohy8672]

These shoes are breathtaking works of art.

[@franklinstephen3268]

👋i hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness prosperity love and peace 💞❤️🕊️🕊️ all over the world 🙏🌍 I'm originally from Canada currently living in California ☀️☀️☀️☀️and you where are you from if i may ask?💭

[@nicolakunz231]

It's always good to spend some chill time with you Nicole. Thank you for sharing some of your museum trip while I make the lining to this hooded capelet.

[@skolljumper]

I would have a hard time resisting those snake pattern boots if I had the option to get a pair that fit. Those are power boots.

[@annetteboyd8940]

Love this post I'm a person that could spend an afternoon just looking at shoes they are an art form.Adding the history is the icing on the cake❤

[@bethliebman8169]

Nicole, Another great shoe video! I am so glad you were able to visit and examine the shoes. I love the research you do, and the storytelling. I always look forward to dropping in on your channel.

[@TheEudaimonya]

What a fabulous pair of boots! She was so confident. Also they sound like they'd actually fit me lol

[@margarethall1625]

Thank you for sharing. These shoes are very fascinating and the joy you exude when talking about them is contagious.

[@franklinstephen3268]

👋i hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness prosperity love and peace 💞❤️🕊️🕊️ all over the world 🙏🌍 I'm originally from Canada currently living in California ☀️☀️☀️☀️and you where are you from if i may ask?💭

[@theoldways1549]

That last pair of laced boots with the faux snake print, are my all time favorite model of shoes. Thank you for adding them 😊

[@sarahallegra6239]

I learned so much just from this one video! Your enthusiasm is so wonderfully infectious and I really appreciate that you genuinely bring your passion to each of these videos. Thanks for your lovely and uplifting content! Also, those boots are spectacular!! 🖤🖤🖤

[@lizcademy4809]

If those first shoes are a UK size 4, they would probably fit me well! Because of my short, very wide hobit feet, I've been started buying "barefoot" shoes, which have a wider toe box. I have to order these, so I measured my feet carefully ... in metric, as most shoe makers are in Europe. My feet are 22.5cm long, 9.3cm wide ... 8.8" long, 3.6" wide.

[@ColleenMarble]

Finally! A pair of antique shoes that would actually fit me! Those boots are fabulous.

[@celinhamaui2023]

What a found! I know how hard it's to find great shoes in size 11; as of today.

[@BeerElf66]

I love those boots! I'd wear that style now, very happily.

[@PatKellyTeaches]

This was a fascinating video, well done. You may have talked about this in other videos, but how do the museums preserve the shoes? Is it a different process from other articles of clothing?

[@roxiepoe9586]

This was so interesting. I love it. I live about a mile from NRS (National Roping Supply) which has more cowboy boots than you can imagine. The snakeskin boot would fit in pretty well!

[@marsy1480]

I’ll have those last pair of boots...they are in my size...difficult to get now even! Beautiful!

[@spokenme08]

Gorgeous.I have hard to fit feet that are almost a size diffrent from front each other.A custom made shoe would be awesome. I love how cheeky the last pair is.

[@fiftyfathomknit4889]

Drooling over those 1920s boots - I would love to know about the person who wore those! Are you able to tell looking at historical shoes if/how many times the sole has been replaced? Also I LOVE the idea of mid 19th c "foot health" discourse and would love to see some sources talking about that.

[@-Reagan]

Size 11?? Bless her heart ❤️ (no snark, no sarc) She was a tAll fashionista, like me! A long drink of sparkling ✨ Prosecco ✨

[@WJBrunt]

Wow! the last pair of boots are wonderful. Thank you for making these videos. I never knew I was interested in period clothing until a year or two ago.

[@gkseeton]

I just love these shoe history videos. Coolest way to look at history.

[@MTknitter22]

You certainly do not see that sort of quality and decoration on even our best shoes now. Beautiful!!!

[@Iflie]

My mom was very short and through time her smaller shoesize has become more rare in general shops. My size has gone down half to a whole size, my feet have not shrunk through time, I'm very sure that's vanity sizing at work. A shorter woman having a size 6 shoe or smaller seems normal to me and wider too as they had more babies, likely to swell your feet and warm thick socks for those colder environments in winter.

[@DianeDfictionfan]

The first place my head went for a moment with those practice shoes was foot-binding! 😬 I saw a couple examples of tiny embroidered silk slippers when I was a kid (at the Shelburne Museum, IIRC) and they made a lasting impression! I adore the image of the unknown lady who flaunted those final boots, *large* and in charge! (I need a 3E-4E extra-wide-calf myself, and the choices are *cough* narrow!)

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

I thought the same thing about the tiny shoes, and I was happy to be taught that shoemakers made little demos to show their shoemaking chops. 😉

[@lisaperry7158]

Those boots are amazing! Shoes are works of art. I love shoes!

[@annecain3301]

Thank you for such an informative and thoroughly engaging video.

[@rainicascadia5514]

Fabulous presentation! I really enjoyed this. It boggles my mind the knowledge you possess! I appreciate your inspiring channel 💗

[@maggihoogs1251]

How common/can you discern what of the shoe is original - what is a repair? Or is it rare to have a shoe survive that was warn and repaired multiple times?

[@NicoleRudolph]

Repairs aren't uncommon, but they are very obvious! Usually a "clump sole" is added on, which is pretty messy looking. Our common practice of replacing the whole sole is possible on some methods like welted shoes, but is waaaay easier once we have machines to do that repeated work!

[@paulaglad2855]

I need a pair of the last one holy smoke stunning!!!!

[@ladybirdchance]

So interesting, I have so many friends who would wear those devine 1920s boots!

[@33goodwitch]

Love seeing the variety of styles throughout history. Also love the size variations, as someone with an "average" us8.5 shoes length I have very wide feet... 4.25in (~10.8cm) wide. I have only found one brand of shoes that fit me. Wish I could afford cute custom shoes

[@lynneludeke4598]

Please, what brand do you like for wide shoes? Thank you.

[@33goodwitch]

@@lynneludeke4598 I buy Propet brand shoes, they have an online store and they sell on Amazon. Great shoes that come in everything from narrow to extra wide widths. And they are pretty comfortable and durable. I have had a pair of winter boots from them for about 4 years now and they are still going strong.

[@westzed23]

@@33goodwitch I thank you too.

[@stellaluna6421]

That last pair of shoes is the first pair I could actually wear (and it is still a pain in the rear to find boots large enough to fit my calves, even when I'm buying size 11 or 12...)

[@johannayaffe2647]

Next time you go to the UK, go down to Street in Somerset, and go to the Clarks' shoe museum there... super interesting.. Perhaps it's available online..

[@surfandturfr]

Excellent video ! I've always been fascinated with ladies shoe's from the past. There such a personal piece of someone. Just like you said, imagine that person putting that pair of shoe's or boot's everyday. Trying to envision what that person looked like and where they exactly walked in them. Those snakeskin boots would fit me perfect !! Hahaha, I could see myself wearing them with pride too ! Such interesting content, I'm subscribed !

[@franklinstephen3268]

👋i hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness prosperity love and peace 💞❤️🕊️🕊️ all over the world 🙏🌍 I'm originally from Canada currently living in California ☀️☀️☀️☀️and you where are you from if i may ask?💭

[@making.history]

Loved this! It's super cool to hear a bit about how you date things

[@lynneludeke4598]

Dear Nicole. First, thank you for all the delight you bring to us, historically and esthetically. Besides the video portions, you speak so well, so clearly! One thing I’d ask is a bit more light, if possible, on your objects, especially the darker ones. Sometimes the details you mention aren’t discernible because they are lost in the darkness of the material.

[@shawpaperiekas600]

Those test shoes are just super cool!

[@darthbee18]

I would absolutely wear that pair of 1920s boots! 🤣🤭🙈 So flashy, so cool! The sample shoe was interesting too. The 1820ish pair though...crazy that you could trace one of those pairs back to Pauline Bonaparte(!). If it came from a few years earlier it might have belonged to Empress Josephine herself (she was a known shoes connoisseur after all! 😛). Always in awe with how you figure things out in your fashion research Nicole, so awesome 😺

[@ladyjustice1474]

The "snake skin" boots😳 I want. They are so pretty.

[@stevezytveld6585]

*_Suggestion_* - You could do an article for the Costuming Society Journal, going into more depth for the almost identical embroidered shoes. It's a remarkable discovery. Well done and congratulations. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@dawnchesbro4189]

Oh those faux snakeskin boots give me such strong Fluevog vibes!!

[@GoingGreenMom]

Love the boots!