Walking jewellery: 1920s

During the Roaring Twenties women’s fashion altered dramatically. Dresses and skirts got shorter. As hemlines rose women’s shoes became a fashion focal point.

The most popular style of footwear was the bar shoe. It had a simple design with a heel, single strap and button to fasten. Shoes were made from satin, brightly coloured leathers and exotic skins. They were decorated with beads, sequins and rhinestones.

Design inspiration came from a variety of sources including the Art Deco movement and Asia. In 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun and a craze called ‘Egyptomania’ swept the country.

Developments in machinery during World War One meant that shoes were now being mass produced. Men’s fashion changed very little. The most popular style of footwear was the brogue, a laced shoe made in many sections.