18th Century Buckle Shoe

As it says in the description, order a size or two down. I ordered one size down, and I could've went down another whole size. But after a few adjustments with my buckles and wearing thicker stockings, these are perfect. I love the feel and the quality is great.

This is the second pair of buckle shoes I’ve got from South Union. These are a step above the initial run, which had thinner leather and were very wide in the toe. Better quality leather, better finish, more appropriate sizing of the latchets, and better fit. I typically wear US9, and an 8 fits perfectly over woolen stockings, so definitely go a size down. I did a busy work day in them and my feet don’t hurt! That’s the best praise I can give.

I have been looking for good quality straight lasted 18th Century shoes. Although NOT straight lasted, they have only a slight curve, and as such look straight. They are very well built with solid feeling leather. As they advise, they do run large; knowing that I have been VERY happy with mine, and thay are my "go-to" reenacting shoes. My only minor complaint is that in wet weather, the leather of the uppers sometimes stains my socks, but all in all, I am very happy with these and am very happy to recommend them to anyone.

South Union Mills' common buckle shoe is filling a niche left vacant by companies like Fugawee, providing affordable colonial-era footwear. The quality of these are improving with each run (I also ordered from their initial run previously), now featuring reasonable material quality, a stitched sole, pegged heel, and proper back seam. They have the right period look and will no doubt continue to improve with subsequent runs. You will need to cut the latchet straps to fit your buckle as they are currently (July 2022) cut wide. They are also listed off-size, as indicated in the product description, though I actually advise ordering a size and a half smaller: being a size 9, the size 8 was still a couple inches long in the toe. Overall, a good and comfortable shoe that fills a market need, offered by a company which is a pleasure to work with.

Quality product would buy again