Winklepickers are a popular footwear choice amongst a generation of contemporary musicians and youths, with its origins in the medieval days. Winklepickers, originally known as “poulaines” when these shoes were worn as a fashion and social statement – the longer the point of your shoe – then the higher your social status! The term Winklepicker was derived from using a sharp, pointed object to prise the sea-winkle from its shell. Read more…
Throughout several centuries, the pointed toe was eventually superseded by the rounder shapes. It was only in the 1950’s that Winklepicker reappeared on the fashion scene. Although the Teddy Boys championed the Creeper, Winklepicker also became a favourite.
The pointed toe sharpened their counter-culture look in an age that was still very conformist. In the 1960’s, the Winklepickers were taken up by the modernist and their descendants, the Mods. Sharp and clean-cut Italian suits and button-down shirts were complemented by the sleek lines of the Winklepickers.
The Winklepicker shape could also be seen in the Chelsea boots and Beat or Beatle boots, with a Cuban heel. This shape was very popular amongst the music sense of the time. The anti-establishment credentials of the ‘picker was enhanced by their appearance in London streets brawls. The Press sensationalised bank holiday beach battles between rival gangs.
In the 1970’s, Winklepickers saw another come back. They were the saviour of fashion sanity, as an alternative to the hippy and disco trend. Punks were quick to pick-up the pointed toe as part of their statement.
In the 1980s then saw the arrival of the New Wave, where Winklepickers experimented more with loud colours and design. The three-buckle Blitz Boot, for example, was a favourite amongst the New Romantics.
Into the 2000’s, Winklepickers became the popular choice amongst the subcultures with bands such as, S.C.U.M., The Horrors, and the Klaxons amongst the many fans.
The Underground Winklepicker Shoe and Boots styles uses an original 1950’s last shape, that is the very heart of this range of classics and contemporary styles.
