From humble origins as satin booties to over-the-knee lace gorgeousness, wedding boots have a long history. As with any good story, this one is full of romance, royalty, and rebelliousness.
House of Elliot ‘Lizzie Elliot‘ Victorian Lace Bridal Ankle Boots (Design inspired by a pair of boots Queen Victoria owned)
The Regency Period
Regency Fashion – Images via Pinterest
It is during this era of romance and feisty heroines that the wedding boot is born. Before the Regency period, ladies’ shoes were mainly delicate slippers, but as fashions adapted to increasingly active lifestyles, so did footwear. How else could Lizzie Bennet march across fields to find Mr Darcy? “Half boots” grew in popularity as more women were allowed to take up pastimes such as riding and walking. As trends often do, these booties soon took off and from England to France satin and kid leather boots graced ballroom floors, with more elaborate designs becoming a part of a traditional wedding outfit.
Satin ‘Half Boots’ – Images via Jane Austen World and Les Arts Decoratifs
Round toe Regency ‘Half Boots’ circa 1815 – Museum of London
Nothing sets off a neat ankle more than a half boot – Jane Austen, ‘The Watsons’
The Victorian Era
During this time there was one woman that influenced all trends, from those surrounding morality to wedding customs. She was of course, Queen Victoria. Credited with starting an almost two century long love affair with the white wedding dress, her choice in footwear also influenced bridal styles.
Queen Victoria’s Wedding; A Victorian Bride getting ready – Images via History Today and Threading Through Time
The elastic sided boots pictured below were said to be a style favoured by the Queen and many followed her lead, choosing these booties and similar designs for their wedding day.
A pair of Victorian Wedding Boots circa 1865 – Image via Victoria & Albert Museum
As technology improved, the boots became more structured and decorated in a more elaborate fashion. Although small heels were added, the toes remained rounded, retaining a demure feminine look in keeping with fashions of the time.
Victorian leather boots – Images via In Victorian Times
Edwardian Bride (1906) – Image via lafayette.org.uk
The 20th Century
Although weddings retained traditions of bygone times, the 20th century played host to incredible changes. The Edwardian period saw a loosening of the strict moral codes imposed by the Victorians and tastes in fashion changed. The demure wedding booties of the past were replaced by boots with attitude, perfect for any aspiring suffragette.
Edwardian Boots – Images via Pinterest
The higher heels and lace-up designs remained popular throughout the pre-war years. However, as wedding dress hemlines rose, the flapper girls of the 1920s kept the boots for more boisterous activities.
Image via Arcade Card
With House of Elliot’s ‘Josephine’ half boot, current day Brides can now enjoy the style of the boots of the Edwardian & Victorian eras.
Josephine Ivory Victorian Half Boot
The Present Day
Brides today are lucky to draw inspiration from decades of style whilst being free to either follow tradition or blaze a new trail. It is with this in mind that the House of Elliot’s collection of lace boots is designed. Inspired by the demure femininity of the Victorian period with a dash of attitude from the early 20th century, the collection with its variety of colours and styles is a truly contemporary answer to a long history of wedding boots.
Bride Dana wearing a pair of ‘Lizzie Elliot‘ Victorian Lace Ankle boots which were inspired by a pair of satin boots Queen Victoria wore.
Lizzie Elliot Ivory Lace Victorian Ankle Boot
Inspired by Edwardian boot designs Brides Nicola & Cari wear ‘Lottie Elliot’ vintage lace ankle boots.
Lottie Elliot Ivory Lace Ankle Boot
Bride Tiffany and Shawna wear House of Elliot’s best selling ‘Evangeline Elliot’ vintage knee high lace boots.
Evangeline Elliot Ivory Lace Knee High Boot
Mixing daring style with Romance, French Bride Sandra wears a pair of ‘Goodnight Sweetheart‘ over the knee lace boots in front of the Louvre, Paris.
Goodnight Sweetheart Ivory Over The Knee Boot
Brides Leslie & Nelly wear ‘Beatrice Elliot’ classic lace boots. This style is a popular alternative to a bridal cowboy boot.
