Across 250 years of American influence, shoes have done far more than protect our feet. While footwear practicality reigned in America’s earliest years, shoes began to dominate the fashion conversation after the dawn of the 20th century. 1950s era saddle oxfords and bobbie socks. The style shifts cames as two World Wars and the Great Depression dramatically impacted life in America. And in the mid-1950s, saddle shoes and kitten heels paired perfectly with youthful rebellion as T-shirts, jeans, and collegiate staples upended the status quo.