Ankle Strap Shoes

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.

Sam Edelman ankle strap shoes

Assuming one has reasonable ankles and not cankles!, as shoes go, its a very sexy, flattering look. Ankle straps first came on the scene in the 1920s at a time when designers were getting a lot more adventurous with shoe styles.

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.

Dorothy Lamour in 1940s white ankle straps

1920s inspired cow wrinkle patent leather Nolita shoes. At Mimco