It seems that the word “moccasins” is new in our vocabulary. These soft-soled shoes without laces or buckles, but with an attractive tongue and neat external seam, appeared on the shelves of domestic stores not so long ago, but we managed to appreciate them. But the history of moccasins did not begin today, or even a hundred years ago. People have been wearing them for over five thousand years.
It is believed that moccasins were invented by the Indians of North America. But in 2008, on the territory of modern Armenia, archaeologists discovered shoes similar to them, worn by a person about 5,500 years ago. This find is considered one of the most interesting (it turns out that not only the Indians had moccasins). The primitive “shoes” corresponded to modern size 37 (sole length 24.5 cm) and were made from a piece of cow leather.
In addition, in the Fort Rock and Arnold caves, located in the territory of modern USA, moccasins were found that were worn by representatives of one of the North American Indian tribes around 3575 BC. e. to 970 AD
By the way! Women's moccasins were long and looked like boots (the upper part was made of fabric), men's moccasins were shorter.
The world learned about moccasins in the middle of the twentieth century. In 1946, the Minnetonka Moccasin Company released a collection of accessories and shoes inspired by North American Indian traditions. A special feature of this brand’s moccasins is the presence of fringe. In 1956, another company, Hush Puppies, appeared in the United States, producing shoes for the whole family.
Since then, the popularity of moccasins has been growing year by year. Today there is not a single place on the planet where you have not heard about these comfortable shoes.
Modern moccasins are simple everyday shoes. To make them, the leather is stretched over a block, then stitched on top with an open seam. The front part (seam and tongue) is decorated, the sole is complemented with a heel or left flat, running over the heel.
The most common today are moccasins made from soft calfskin. In second place in popularity are shoes made from deer skins. There are also quite exotic options. For example, shoes made from pony, alligator or python skin are considered the most expensive. Italian designers actively use boar leather, the porosity of which gives such shoes a special appeal.
Beads, rhinestones, seed beads, plastic or metal elements, fringe, and fabric appliqué are used as decoration.
Today on store shelves you can find models of different colors and styles. Among the main ones we should highlight:
Everyone wears these shoes: men, women and children. It is ideal for walking and for informal business meetings.