Ankle straps, as the name suggests, are shoes that have single or multi straps around the ankles - as opposed to a sling back, which has a strap around the top of the heel.
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Sam Edelman ankle strap shoes |
As skirts had got considerably shorter, shoes became a more prominent part of an outfit - a feature, rather than something which peeped out from the bottom of a long skirt.
However it was in the glamour decade of the 1940s that ankle strap shoes really hit their stride. During this decade many a Hollywood style queen strutted her slim ankles in high heels and ankle straps.
Since then a variety of shoe styles has come and gone but ankle straps remain an option - their ultra-feminine, distinctive look is always an eye catcher on a nicely turned ankle.
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Dorothy Lamour in 1940s white ankle straps |
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1920s inspired cow wrinkle patent leather Nolita shoes. At Mimco |
![Gabriella Rocha Women's Neve Ankle Strap Ballet Flat,Black,9 B (M) US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HIzJ7sHmL._SL75_.jpg)
![Michael Antonio Women's Ladina Pump,Red,6.5 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61dNkAneaIL._SL75_.jpg)
![GUESS Women's Tokeni 2 Ankle-Strap Sandal,Green/Brown Leather,7.5 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41d1jB9SZcL._SL75_.jpg)
![Charles by Charles David Women's Flute Ankle-Strap Sandal,Taupe,5 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gThnk4vDL._SL75_.jpg)
![L.A.M.B. Women's Blade T-Strap Pump,Black,7.5 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41auWfgHOTL._SL75_.jpg)
![Nine West Women's Footnote Pump,Black Leather,10 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41K86fDmQEL._SL75_.jpg)
![Charles Jourdan Collection Women's Felice Pump,Black,10 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41P-%2BuAE6hL._SL75_.jpg)
![Steve Madden Women's Haylow T-Strap Sandal, Black Patent, 8.5 US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41%2BAV2EEMqL._SL75_.jpg)
![White Mt. Women's Ultimate Ankle-Strap Sandal,Black,7.5 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YRPzX979L._SL75_.jpg)
![Steve Madden Women's Rafiia Wedge Sandal,Cognac Leather,5.5 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51k3HndMVAL._SL75_.jpg)
![Camper Women's 21361 Ankle-Strap Sandal,Fran,39 EU/9 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41h2w8K%2BblL._SL75_.jpg)
![Nine West Women's Nathania Platform Pump,Green/Blue Satin,8 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kd%2BMpO2dL._SL75_.jpg)
![Michael Antonio Women's Globe Sandals,Turquoise,7.5 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Zh7NKip2L._SL75_.jpg)
![Annie Shoes Women's Bright T-Strap Sandal,Gold,11 W US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RgKbRpcnL._SL75_.jpg)
![Charles David Women's Tribute Ankle-Strap Sandal,Brown Multi,8 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51wvFxLSxQL._SL75_.jpg)
![Annie Shoes Women's Engagement Ankle-Strap Sandal,Gold Satin,8.5 M US](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41rkDTjZxZL._SL75_.jpg)