Vintage Painted Shoes


Vintage Painted Shoes - Where They Came From


Vintage painted shoes.


I know someone who has kept many clothing items and pairs of shoes from days past.


One day, she was sharing the items with me, and I spotted a pair of sandals that I liked. I offered to paint the shoes for her, and she graciously said that I could keep them. 


She originally purchased these sandals in the 1970's, and they are still in very good condition.


I wish they were my size because I would certainly wear them.



Before being painted.
After being painted.


Vintage Painted Shoes - Choosing a Color


The shoes looked fine in their original black, but I knew that I wanted to paint them with color.


I had many colors to choose from: red, yellow, pink, blue, turquoise, gold, and white.


Red, and orange are my favorite colors, and I was leaning toward red, but I had just painted a handbag that color, so I went with orange.


Plus, orange is not the most popular color for shoes. They are more likely to stand out in this hue.



Shoes before being painted.


Vintage Painted Shoes - The Process



A maker on Youtube recommended cleaning leather with vinegar prior to painting, and so I did.


The paint went on smoothly. and I gave the sandals about five coats.


I was painting the shoes while listening to music, and it was very relaxing.


I still need to add the leather finisher.


My regret is that I did not cover the parts of the shoes that I did not intend to paint.


Thus, there are splotches of paint on the soles that I need to remove.



Before.
After.

Vintage Painted Shoes - The Occasion


I love a good pair of high-heeled sandals.


I also love skirts, and dresses.


Having said that, I would probably pair these sandals with a sleek black, or magenta dress. (in my opinion, magenta and orange look beautiful together).


There are also many frilly skirts that would complement the sandals.


They would also go well with a jean skirt, or a pair of jeans.


Add a white tee shirt, a solid colored handbag, and a pair of sunglasses, and I'd say that this outfit is pretty darn cute.


All that to say that these shoes may be dressed up, or dressed down.



Vintage Painted Shoes - Do-it-Yourself?



Feeling adventurous?


Why not try and paint an old pair of shoes in your closet that haven't been worn in a while? 


JoAnn Fabrics now sells plain white athletic shoes to paint. Here are some sample projects.