There’s plenty to see right here in Toronto! The Bata Shoe Museum is one of my favourite local tourist attractions, so I went on a day off. There were only a few other people there at the same time. My mom and I often felt like we had a whole floor to ourselves, meaning it was safe and quiet.
The evolution of shoes is interesting! I’ve spent so much time looking at fashion trends in magazines and on Instagram without knowing how we got here. The Bata Shoe Museum explains why some shoes are significant based on gender, class and religion.
Fun Facts
- 1920s: Women’s hemlines went up, so shoes became a new focus
- 1930s: Peep toe shoes with cut outs were introduced
- 1950s: Stilettos became popular
Those are a few key moments in the history of women’s shoes and the men’s shoes are fascinating too. According to a sign, “the history of 20th century men’s footwear is more a study in subtle style shifts than radical reinventions of the shoe. Classics such as the oxford and spectator served to reaffirm rather than redefine masculinity.” Another sign nearby pointed out that spectators “might seem like a conservative and classic choice, but spectators were considered a daring and flamboyant fashion during the peak of their popularity in the 1920s and 30s.” Now men or women can wear them without judgment!
They even have shoes on display for pets and dolls! As someone who works on a fashion game, it’s not surprising that the display with dolls’ shoes was one of my favourite things. I only play with virtual dolls and it’s been a long time since I’ve looked at Polly Pocket’s wardrobe, so that was cute!
Now I want to Google more fashion history because there is a lot I don’t know and want to learn. The Bata Shoe Museum also made me want to go shoe shopping, even though realistically, I’ll replace my old Converse without buying new heels until next year.
Visit The Bata Shoe Museum next time you want to explore Toronto and learn about fashion! Their Instagram offers a nice preview of what you can expect inside.
