06/29/2024
spectator shoes https://batashoemuseum.ca/
The credit for this exceptionally beautiful piece of art goes to a renowned English shoemaker John Lobb. In 1868, Lobb designed the first spectator shoe as a cricket shoe. At that time, cricket shoes were purely white and usually got covered with dirt after every game. To resolve this problem, Lobb added black leather to the areas that got dirty sooner, and the spectator came to life. For a couple of years, it was seen on almost every golfer and cricketer's feet.
Spectator Wingtip Oxford - Black & White
However, in the 1920s, when fashion was at its peak, the spectator started getting criticized. People complained its flamboyant appearance looked ungentlemanly and labeled it for lounge lizards and divorcees. This gave rise to its other name, i.e., the co-respondent shoe. A decade later, when the Duke of Windsor was seen sporting a lot of spectator loafers, the shoe got its reputation back and became an acceptable dress shoe. However, by the end of WWII, spectators lost their charm and were rarely seen in stores.
But as they say, a classic never goes out of style. The spectator made a huge comeback in the 1980s under Michael Jackson's guidance. And till today, the dress shoe is worn by artists and people who admire the glorious twenties and thirties.
