Vaudeville was a form of theatrical entertainment that was popular in America before the widespread adoption of cinema. During its heyday, from around 1880 to 1920, numerous vaudeville theaters thrived in major cities like New York, drawing large crowds. The shows were diverse, featuring singing, dancing, comedy, magic, and more. Many early silent film stars, such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, and the Marx Brothers, got their start in vaudeville. These performers traveled from theater to theater. The 2 Monkeys "VAUDEVILLE" boots were created with these traveling vaudeville actors in mind. (They are not a reproduction of a specific vintage boot.) Their design is inspired by American and French boots from around 1910. These are capped-toe, open-laced boots featuring a high toe, also known as a bulldog toe, and a vamp made of two separate pieces stitched together. We combined an original last with a slightly oblique toe, a small cap, a large vamp, a low shaft, and a small heel to achieve the distinctive appearance of boots from that era. By combining two manufacturing methods, we were able to create a strongly narrowed waist, replicating the elegant silhouette of boots from that period. Inspired by the actors who were known for their flamboyant style, the toes have a unique design with lines. The leather is smooth yet natural horsehide (horse front). Since this leather is not heavily "finished," you may see natural markings like creases and scars emerge as you wear them, but these are all part of the charm of genuine horsehide. The soft leather also ensures an excellent fit. Like the "SPORTIF," these boots are surprisingly lightweight.
Colors include Oak Brown and Black (see separate page). Oak Brown has a deep, nuanced color, and as it ages, the black dye used in the finish will fade, providing an enjoyable patina.
