A Note on Shoes

For promenading you will find sources of period shoes and boots for ladies and gentlemen in the pages that follow.

However, if you want to dance, then you will need a light, flexible shoe with little or no heel and good support for the foot. Period shoes can be uncomfortable to dance in. Also be aware that the Regency dancing is vigorous and modern pumps have a tendency to fly off in mid dance!

Ladies should dance in pumps and, unless they are a good snug fit, sew on a ribbon to cross and tie round the ankle or elastic across the top of the foot.

For men, I have now found a solution that works best for me. I use a buckled period shoe if I am just promenading, but for dancing I change into men's black ballet shoes to which I have added a period gilt buckle or a flat black bow. They look accurate for the period, judging by the portraits and cartoons of the time, and they are a delight to dance in. They downside is that the sole is so soft that you can't really wear them outside - but then we know that Regency men changed their shoes before dancing too.