These popular 70s shoes have an enduringly fun & funky vibe
A closer look at shoes from the seventies reveals a subtle yet significant influence from the 1940s, with elements like chunky heels and peep toes making a comeback. Iconic shoes from the 1970s, such as the quintessential platform shoes, not only defined the era’s fashion in a larger sense, but became symbols of the cultural shifts happening at the time.
The essence of 1970s shoes, characterized by platforms, slingbacks, clogs and boots, was distinguished by the use of vibrant colors, varied materials, and distinctive designs. These styles reflected the decade’s spirited and diverse fashion landscape.
Have a scroll through these vintage ads and catalog pages from Sears & JC Penney to see the wide variety of 70s shoes available for women (not all of which were actually fashionable even at that time) — as well as modern versions you can buy today.
Socialites shoes for women (1970)
Classic vintage JC Penney shoes for women from 1973
Dress-up sandals, up-front lace sandals with platform soles & more (1972)
Classic American styled red, white, and blue pumps (1972)
Spring Slings: Retro women’s sling shoes from 1972
Old-fashioned slingback shoes in styles such as Cross-strap, Star-spangled, Spectator, High-vamp, Ghillie Slings, and more.
Vintage classy vinyl flared heels from the ’70s
Tie-on casual women’s shoes in crinkle, suede, brushed leather, or smooth uppers (1972)
’70s Sebago brand country classic ladies footwear
Slip-on patent vinyl footwear and Oxford style shoes from ’73
Big chunky and oxford shoes for women from 1973
Grecian leg lacing sandals for women from the 70s
Classic 70s JC Penney wooden chunky heels
Big and bold, clogs, platforms, and cork-soled sandals from JC Penney
Retro JC Penney sandals for women from 1973
JC Penney classy business casual footwear for ladies (1973)
Penney’s feminine pumps – 1970s ladies footwear
Groovy amber leather moccasin-style sandals from 1970
Retro ’70s Chianti leather strappy women’s sandals
Caramel marbled chunky leather sandals for ladies (1970)
Buskens vintage shoes from 1970 – Wrinkled leather look
Red and white groovy shoes for her (1970s)
Chic Ball-Band strappy 70s sandals
Sexy shoes add zing to spring: Vintage 70s women’s shoes (1979)
Article from Lancaster Eagle-Gazette (Lancaster, Ohio) – March 22, 1979
Spring ’79 will be a season of sensuality for footwear — and glove-like fabrications, bright colors, sculpted heels and “echoes of the ’40s” are the trends to watch, reports the Footwear Council.
The shape is closer to the foot, rounder, softer — and that goes for business shoes, sports shoes and dress shoes for men, women and children.
Women will become familiar with the “citisandal” and the “fisherman” shoe this spring. The former boasts stacked heels in myriad shapes and heights, a palette of colors ranging from pale neutrals such as champagne, sand and pebble to clear, crisp brights such as honeydew green, pale banana, Pacific turquoise and Chinese red.
There will be a large variety of strap combinations, perforations and cutouts featured in the shoes, fabricated in soft leathers and supple suedes.
Sporty and sophisticated women’s shoes from the 1979 Sears catalog
The French-inspired fisherman sandal works with pants or skirts, goes sporty or sophisticated. This style can be an intricate jumble of criss-crossing straps, or just two buttery-soft folds of leather. It can rest on flat-flat heels or scooped-out wedges, stacked mid-heels or stiletto spikes.
Available in brown or black leather, this fisherman's sandal is a classic and comfortable casual flat that never goes out of style!
For the casual fisherman, check out delicate snakeskins and linens, the Footwear Council suggests. For a fisherman’s elegant evening ashore, perhaps nubuck, soft and velvety as a summer night.
The council also reports an assortment of disco shoes that defy description. Fantasy is the key: glamour and sparkle, bursts of color and strappy metallics, the highest of heels and the barest look possible — but the chic-est as well.
Retro high heel shoes with open toes and in 70s platform and pump styles
Vintage strappy heels and sandals for women from 1979
Strappy heels and sandals plus patent and canvas handbags to match
Vintage dressy high-heel sandals with wood soles and leather uppers
Step out in 70s disco chic with the Marc Fisher Acres strappy platform high heel sandal. This simple, yet sexy sandal features a covered block heel and an adjustable skinny wraparound ankle strap. You'll be a dancing queen in no time with these stunners.
Stylish perforated 70s shoes for women – sandals and clogs
High-heeled sandals and ballet wedges plus ankle strap vintage shoes for women
Elevate your look with these versatile low wedge ballerina flats that style with everything!
Shoes with moccasin toe urethane upppers and plantation crepe rubber soles from 1979
Sporty stitch trim Oxford athletic shoes from 1979
Retro casual shoes for women with brown leather uppers and rubber soles
70s-style Oxfords with brown leather uppers and wavy platform soles
Vintage moccasin-style shoes and slip-on footwear for women from 1979
Sandals with cork soles and chunky heels
Vintage low-profile walking shoes for women
Mid-heel brown leather sandals from the ’70s with wood and cork soles
Stylish 70s shoes for women with ornamental vamps and metal trim and square heels
Walking sandals for women in the 70s – low square heels and cork wedge soles
Sophisticated dressy sandals from 1979 – wedges and T-straps plus pumps and heels
Vintage open-toe high-heel sandals with T-straps and knotted vamps plus ankle straps
Take the dressy drama of wedge sandals to new soaring new heights with these cork-heeled peep toe platform shoes!
Retro crafted-look sandals – crochet-look, macrame-style and hemp heels from 1979
Sears vintage collection of sport boots, booties and shoes
Retro 1973 Dunham Daters platform shoes
Luxurious 70s kidskin sandals with cross vamps, T-straps and ruffle trims plus cork sole
Conservative shoes for women – leather uppers and mid-heel
Retro leather and urethane dress boots for women
ALSO SEE: Go-go boots & mod stretch vinyl boots were super trendy women’s footwear in the 60s & 70s
Not just for costumes anymore, the iconic go go boot is back in fashion for everyday style with that disco-era flair.
Butlers & Malings white mesh women’s shoes (1979)
Retro Motion-Ease Sole Shoes with molded rubber soles
MORE LIKE THIS: Vintage Famolare shoes: The wavy-sole platform wedges that were hot in the ’70s
70s casual clogs for women with brown leather uppers and natural wood platforms
A wood-like block heel and stud details define this summer-ready, versatile shoe.
Cool and comfortable fabric heels and espadrilles from 1979
ALSO SEE: His and hers matching clothes: Was this 1970s unisex clothing trend romantic or weird?
Vintage casual 70s shoes – oxfords, espadrilles, slip-ons and ballet flats
Espadrilles are a chic and comfortable choice for walking, driving, traveling, lounging at home or working from home in style. Light, flexible and adaptable to all foot shapes, this shoe design has stood the test of time for centuries!
Fabric casuals and tennis shoes from the ’70s
DON’T MISS: Vintage shoe stores: See what shoe shopping really used to be like
One Response
My mother worked for Sears for 30 years, from 1974 to 2004. We had Sears e v e r y t h i n g. I’d given anything to see those shoes in person again. We had multiples of these styles as my sister, mom and I wore so many of the sandals, and my dad wore Jeepers, too, never Keds. Mom’s discount and our low budget ensured that. Still, everything was of high quality and I miss it so much. Thanks for this post!!!