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Unusual unisex shoes called “lychaky” made from coarse linen cord. Chernihiv region (northern Ukraine), the beginning of the 21st century. Handmade. These shoes have long cords which are used to tie the shoe to the foot

Female leather shoes called “postoly”. Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine (western part of the country), the 2nd half of the 20th century. Each shoe is made by hand from one whole piece of leather and richly adorned with stamping on leather, colorful sequins, beading, metal decorations, and 3 brass buckles. These shoes look really festive.

Unisex leather shoes called “postoly”. Kryvorivnia village, Verkhovyna district, Ivano-Frankivsk region (western Ukraine), the 1st half of the 20th century. Handmade. Each shoe is made from one whole piece of leather and adorned with stamping on leather and tiny metal nails on each wrinkle. You can also see that the back of postoly has holes and is usually knit together with a cord.

Female leather boots called “marigold boots” because they were duo colored. The end of the 19th century. Handmade. These boots were made from black and light-brown leather. The bootlegs are actually very high but folded up twice. There is a decorative sewn pattern on the bootlegs. The heels are made from pieces of leather glued together. Similar footwear was used in Poland.

Women’s high leather boots called “riasovani boots” with an accordion folded, decorative shape of the bootlegs. Ivano-Frankivsk region (western Ukraine), the beginning of the 20th century. Handmade. Such an unusual shape of the bootleg has a decorative purpose and also it is comfortable to walk in them. But it is rather hard to take shoes off because of the accordion folding – and that’s why there is a special nib at the back. Also, the back of the boots is adorned with tiny brass nails.

Female leather boots called “marigold boots” because they were duo colored. Ukraine, the end of the 19th century. Handmade. These boots were made from black and light-brown leather. The bootlegs are high and rolled up once. There is a decorative pattern made from tiny brass nails on the back of the boots. The heels are made from pieces of leather glued together. The soles are attached to the upper with tiny wooden pegs. Similar footwear was used in Poland.

Inuit boots made from animal skin and fur, 1900-1930 and 1987. Such footwear helped people who lived in Greenland, Alaska, Canada, and Russia survive super cold winters.

Female ornate leather shoes. Ivano-Frankivsk region (western Ukraine), the 1st half of the 20th century. Handmade. These boots are fastened with a help of 19 buttons. They are also embellished with cutting and decorative sewn patterns. The heels are made from pieces of leather glued together.

Female and kid leather shoes from Central Ukraine, the late 19th – early 20th century. They are called “postoly”. Such footwear traditionally was used in western and some central regions of the country.
These shoes are fastened with leather straps and buckles. The child’s shoes are tiny but made really accurately, just as the adults’ postoly.

Vintage shoes from 1830s.
On the first two photos, are flat-heeled boots from The V&A. Both from between the 1830s-1840s. The white side-laced boot is made from a corded silk upper, while the dark pair of boots are made from watered silk uppers. Both have leather soles and are thought to possibly be made in France or Great Britain.
On the third photo, there are canary yellow silk-satin slippers in very good condition. They date between 1830-1835.