Larry Harnisch of The Daily Mirror sent in this ad, which appeared in the Los Angeles Times on September 5, 1969:
Text from the top of the ad:
Does S&A really stand for Sex Appeal?
…and how! Our shoes are so sexy we only allow mature thinking adults to buy them…or young adults accompanied by a parent. When you wear S&A shoes, people will stare at your legs who were never never aware that you had any before.
It’s a great example of how quickly fashion standards can change. Today I’m pretty sure most, if not all, of these shoes would be considered old-fashioned and wouldn’t be marketed as sexy. Our ideas of what constitutes a “sexy” woman’s shoe today includes a higher, thinner heel, meaning they’re also in general less stable, harder to walk in, and worse for your feet than shoes with a chunky heel like these.
Comments 16
Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist — October 19, 2009
I actually thought the comic was a mockery of sex appeal, because of how the female was drawn. Yikes
Mina — October 19, 2009
"Our ideas of what constitutes a “sexy” woman’s shoe today includes a higher, thinner heel, meaning they’re also in general less stable, harder to walk in, and worse for your feet than shoes with a chunky heel like these."
Don't forget narrow. I spent several hours trying on shoes the other weekend just to end up with a pair of Mary Jane ballet flats. All the other shoes were far too narrow for my feet. Women's shoes simply aren't designed for women with wide feet.
chryslin — October 19, 2009
What's with the guy fellating the shoe in the "Whittier Grand Opening" box?
Emily — October 19, 2009
Note to self: Figure out a way to travel back in time to 1969 to buy shoes.
Those shoes are cute, and it's really hard to find shoes with wide chunky heels now that don't look frumpy...
Kelle — October 19, 2009
“Our ideas of what constitutes a “sexy” woman’s shoe today includes a higher, thinner heel, meaning they’re also in general less stable, harder to walk in, and worse for your feet than shoes with a chunky heel like these.”
It goes in cycles...high-fashion shoes in the 1950s were stiletto-heeled, pointy-toed, and such. The mid-60s were flats or kitten heels, late 60s-mid 70s as in the picture with and without platforms, late 70s to late 80s was stiletto heels again, late 80s to mid 90s was mostly chunkier shoes as above, mid 90s were just weird with things like platform sneakers or futuristic casual loafers, and now we're back to tottery stilettos, with or without platforms. Fashion will tire of those soon enough and chunkier heels will be back right about when we get 90s retro fashion. :P
meerkat — October 19, 2009
They are still too sexily impractical for me.
Captain Grab — October 19, 2009
Wait a few years and they will be "sexy" again. Maybe soon if designers read this blog.
Captain Crab — October 19, 2009
Captain Crab, not "grab"
Sophia Williams — November 12, 2009
Your article is wonderful! Hold it. And my favourite high heel shoes is christian louboutinshoes , they are very nice and sexy !! Recommend www.christianlouboutingirl.us online store ! Thanks !
Damenschuhe — December 10, 2009
Having comfortable shoe can really take ladies everywhere without hurting their feet.
America's Future Foundation | Theme Parties: What to Wear? — March 17, 2014
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