THRIFTY THURSDAY: Vintage Shoes

A fellow artist and I went on a spur-of-the-moment thrift and I happened upon these lovely little $3 flats that looked as though they had come from my great grandmother's closet. Vintage shoes are quirky, unique and oftentimes well broken in. Then there are the wonderful gems that were never worn and you get the honor of giving them new life. Why wear shoes that look like everyone else, retro shoes give you character and a sense of self when you walk in them. Thrift stores and second hand shops are great sources for men's and women's cast off footwear. That's right, you guys out there. The men's section often sports an eclectic array of vintage tennis shoes and roughed up leather, perfect for a vintage inspired ensemble for a fraction of the cost. So cast off inhibition and let your heart beat wildly as you slip on a pair of 70s Chuck Taylors for a whopping $5. And if you don't get into the whole thrift store thing, ask your grandparents if they have any cool old shoes that they don't wear anymore.

A few tips for shopping vintage shoes: try them on and walk around in them, you don't want to get them home and realize that one heel is lower than the other or the leather cracks open when you walk. Plus vintage shoes run a lot smaller than shoes nowadays, it may say 9 but feels like a 7. Make sure buckles, buttons, and zippers are in good working order, laces are easy to replace but buckles and zippers require a bit more finesse.

Happy Thrifting!