Boots

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

These unusual boots present a bit of a mystery. The general construction and appearance resembles shoes of the early 1800s. Although the size suggests they were made for a man, the elongated point toe was stylish for women in the period 1795-1810 but extremely unusual for menswear. Additionally, the side lacing was very uncommon until 1830, and the leather thong shoelace, cut in a curve, is also peculiar. This combination of features suggests that the shoes were made for some context outside of fashionable wear, perhaps as a local peculiarity or as a fancy dress costume.

The Costume Institute

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Costume Institute's collection of more than thirty-three thousand objects represents seven centuries of fashionable dress and accessories for men, women, and children, from the fifteenth century to the present.

Metropolitan Museum of Art