If you are into vintage women’s shoes, then retro shoes will definitely work for you. Retro shoes that were made in the fashion of shoes in the ’50s and ’70s, and true vintage shoes made in the ’50s and ’70s will definitely send you drooling.

Where to get retro shoes

Retro shoes can come in a variety of styles, from dress shoes to shoes with more of an athletic, sporty look. Companies such as Puma, Adidas, and Nike are great sources for retro shoes that they made a few decades back. For authentic retro shoes, you can search vintage stores, websites that sell vintage clothing, footwear, and accessories, as well as exchange and auction sites. Auction and exchange sites are places where you are most likely to find great items at affordable prices.

How to choose retro shoes

The style, make, and color of retro shoes depend on your style, as long as you know that you also need to factor in comfort, durability, and material. Most collectors are only looking for retro shoes with no intention of wearing them, as this can deduct the shoes’ resale value. However, if you are into retro shoes because you like wearing them, look for durability in the material, in the tailoring, and the overall look of the shoe.

You can buy brand new retro shoes straight from the manufacturer or used retro shoes from garage sales or auction sites too. If doing the latter, there are also some things that you need to keep in mind. Just like buying vintage clothing, you need to follow a few rules when buying retro shoes. These include the following:

• Don’t buy stained shoes. Shoes can be very dirty, and more so if they come with very visible stains. If you do not know what the stains are, you do not know if they are removable or not. So it’s better to pass and move on to something else.

• Consider the cost of cleaning and repair when buying used retro shoes. Some shoes can be cleaned with a simple dry clean, but there are some shoes that will cost more if you have them repaired or dry-cleaned compared to if you bought them brand new.

• Check leather shoes for weather and flaking. Leather shoes show wear and flaking easily, and this is usually a good indicator of how often the shoe was used and how well the previous owner cared for it.