I am need of some men's boots around size 6.5-7, I wear a women's 8.5 tennis shoe. I have had the hardest time finding any that small! I want to use them for Civil War reenacting as well as Ren Faire so I can't use anything that screams faire (no matter how beautiful they are!). Thank you!!!
I'm going to guess you mean the American Civil War - which is a VERY different time period than the Renaissance. The footwear between the two look radically different as does every aspect of the clothing. I love fugawee (http://www.fugawee.com/cw%20women%27s.htm) shoes. I have their 18th C shoes - two different pairs- so I can't speak directly to the 19th century but I have yet to hear anything bad about their shoes. I wear a pair of dolce vita boots I got a couple of years ago. I don't see them for sale in your size but these are the ones I have (http://www.ebay.com/itm/DV-By-Dolce-Vita-Sylo-Womens-Size-6-Black-Suede-Fashion-Ankle-Boots-Used/141533824509?_trksid=p2052191.c100026.m2065&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131113143937%26meid%3D2ee8f3f476344ef6b2ee1076250e4f21%26pid%3D100026%26prg%3D20131113143937%26rk%3D10%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D191411339149) and love. No zipper, the heel looks stacked, all suede and very comfy.
Thank you for the link.
Yes, they are very different time periods. But as far as a standard boot goes there are enough similarities to make it work, especially since the pant leg will cover the boot for Civil War.
This is a Civil War cavalry boot:
(http://www.fcsutler.com/pboot3.jpg)
This is what I often see at faire:
(http://www.renboots.com/Bristol/Bristol_boots_blk.jpg)
Keep an eye out at Payless, Walmart and Target-seriously-I've seen women's boots that look a lot like this; and sometimes all you have to do is remove some junk, and decorations to find a good match.
Hubby has some very nice black suede knee boots which he uses with his noble gear-(he cannot have boots with any kind of insole or arch support)-Ladies size 11 at Walmart for about $20.00.
My worry is that the Civil War folks tend to be a 1000 times stricter than anyone in the Renn Faire or even the SCA. I'd go and buy a pair of Civil War boots and just get a pair of Mary Janes to wear to the Renn Faire. (I throw my Mary Janes/Chinese Slippers in the washing machine the second I get home) Mary Janes are cheap (sometimes as low as $5 but mostly $9 now) and it would be worth your while to spend the money on the Civil War Boots instead. Fugawee has some women's boots (towards the bottom of the page I linked to previously) that will work for a solider as well.
Quote from: Rowen MacD on January 13, 2015, 05:22:20 PM
Keep an eye out at Payless, Walmart and Target-seriously-I've seen women's boots that look a lot like this; and sometimes all you have to do is remove some junk, and decorations to find a good match.
Hubby has some very nice black suede knee boots which he uses with his noble gear-(he cannot have boots with any kind of insole or arch support)-Ladies size 11 at Walmart for about $20.00.
That's awesome! I have found several pairs at goodwill and such places over the years. Unfortunately the fashion boots don't last long. I am hoping to find a good long lasting pair.
Quote from: isabelladangelo on January 13, 2015, 06:24:56 PM
My worry is that the Civil War folks tend to be a 1000 times stricter than anyone in the Renn Faire or even the SCA. I'd go and buy a pair of Civil War boots and just get a pair of Mary Janes to wear to the Renn Faire. (I throw my Mary Janes/Chinese Slippers in the washing machine the second I get home) Mary Janes are cheap (sometimes as low as $5 but mostly $9 now) and it would be worth your while to spend the money on the Civil War Boots instead. Fugawee has some women's boots (towards the bottom of the page I linked to previously) that will work for a solider as well.
We call them stitch counters!!! My group is very laid back, no worries there. ;) I wish I could buy some actual Civil War boots, I have been trying them on for years but they are always too big! And they don't make women's versions. :'(