Stepping into Spring with Hotter Shoes

1930s outfit with Hotter Shoes

Outfit Details

1940s CC41 Blouse – The Vintage Bazaar
1930s Navy Skirt – Made by Me
1930s Navy Scarf – Made by Me
1930s Navy Crochet Handbag – Kate Kitsch
Lapis Lazuli Drop Earrings – Shepton Mallet Flea Market
1930s Style Viviene shoes Hotter Shoes

Viviene by Hotter Shoes

I’ve been a fan of Hotter shoes for many years now and have actually featured them on the blog before, back in 2016 and last August. So, when they contacted me at the end of last year and asked if I would like to review a pair of their shoes from their 2018 Spring collection I jumped at the chance.

British brand Hotter was first established in 1959 by Thomas and Harriet Houlgrave under the name of Beaconsfield Footwear. Thomas had previously worked for Skelmersdale shoe company and the knowledge he gained during his time there helped them get started. Initially they only manufactured slippers but, in 1992, the Houlgrave’s son Stewart created the Hotter Comfort Concept and the world’s most comfortable shoe was born. Don’t believe me? Try a pair, you’ll be very pleasantly surprised!

Viviene by Hotter Shoes

Although Hotter are probably most well-known for their more practical shoes, they do have a legion of vintage fans. This is due to their smaller collection of heel shoes that have a strong vintage influence. They even have their very own vintage blogger, my lovely friend Jenny from Annotations of Jenny.

The pair I chose, the beautifully named Viviene, are classically 1930s with a navy and cream two-tone colour way and t-bar styling. The lovely scalloping detail on the edge of the cream gives them a really pretty feminine feel. The heel is just under 2″, which is quite an authentic height for the 1930s. Heel heights increased a little during this decade, but it wasn’t really until the late 1940s that a 3″ or higher became more of the norm.1930s outfit featuring Hotter Shoes

1930s hair and blouse

As soon as they arrived I knew I had to team them with this gorgeous soft cotton, original CC41, blouse from the 1940s. I picked it up at The Vintage Bazaar last year and have lived in it ever since. The colour is at its most true in the close up shot above where you can see the cute navy and cream print. I can’t decide whether they’re supposed to be sweets or tyres!

The skirt is a navy linen kick pleat skirt that I made using my self-drafted pattern. This is the third time I’ve used this pattern and I still really love it. It’s so easy to make and the style is so comfortable to wear. It creates a real 1930s sportswear look, which I’m so fond of.

The hair scarf is made using an off cut of the skirt’s lining and the size and shape was taken from an original 1930s silk scarf I picked up at Shepton Mallet Flea Market. I really need to make some more of these as they’re great to just throw on for a different look to a hat.

The navy handbag is an original 1930s crochet one and still has its original clear celluloid peacock handles. It’s in amazing condition and carries so much, not like most of my other vintage bags. I actually have an original 1930s crochet book that has the pattern for this handbag in it, so one day I will definitely be making my own version.

1930s outfit featuring Hotter Shoes

The Viviene shoes bring the whole ensemble together and add that finishing touch of vintage footwear with plenty of comfort. Something that’s incredibly rare these days, especially with heels. I could wear these shoes all day and my feet would be just as happy at the end of the day as they were at the beginning. As always, the sizing was spot on at a UK 4.5 and my feet had enough room to move without the shoes feeling loose. Hotter are probably one of the most consistent brands in terms of sizing and every single pair I own is a 4.5. (I love that they do half sizes!)

I’ve now got my eye on the beautiful Rose Gold version, which would look absolutely amazing with one of the 1920s beaded Flapper dresses from Tilda Knopf. I’d just need to find a suitably glamorous event to wear them to!

1930s crochet handbag

Disclaimer: Hotter kindly provided me with the Viviene shoes in exchange for this review, however all views expressed are my own and reflect my honest opinions.

Cate

Just a vintage gal suffering from the Golden Age syndrome. A lover of all things old, especially the 1930s, seamstress, crocheter, maker of hats and enjoys rummaging at flea markets.

27 Comments

  1. Those would be so perfect for swing dancing! How adorable and they look perfect with your fantastic outfit. Keeping this brand in mind for sure.

    Thanks Cate!

    • Oh they really would Liz! They have special cushioning within the inner sole which would keep your feet from getting tired and uncomfortable. xx

  2. What lovely photos of you! Your outfit is so well put together too – what a gorgeous blouse! I have a pair of Hotter shoes, and, as you say, they really are beautifully comfortable

    • Thank you Elizabeth! The blouse is so beautiful, I absolutely love it, almost as much as the shoes of course! xx

    • Thank you! Green and navy are two colours I don’t often put together but it works so well here because of the navy print. xx

  3. Those shoes are lovely! And as you say they’re comfortable too, I should check out Hotter Shoes. I love it when there are half sizes, which isn’t all that common. And I usually have a 4,5 too! Green and navy is one of my favourite colour combinations. Your blouse is very cute, and I’d say they are sweets 😉 I have a very similar bag but in black instead of navy. The handles aren’t as lovely as yours, though! xxx

    • Oh, you really should Ann, I’m sure you’d love their shoes. I have another 1930s crochet bag that’s exactly the same pattern but the frame is metal and the handle is a chain. It’s lovely to see the difference in the two. xx

  4. Ooh, I have that same bag, but with a blue handle! And coincidentally, I have the pattern book as well. The book belonged to my great grandmother, and she had a handle for a different bag, which she never made. It’s next on my crochet list.
    I’ve been reading your blog for a while, but hadn’t followed or commented before. I love your style, and you are very inspiring!
    Oh, and just a heads up, I also preordered the Ginger sandals and mine arrived on Monday (I’m in the U.S.), so yours should be coming soon!

    • Oh that would be a wonderful crochet project. I’m sure your great grandmother would be honoured that you’re doing it. Thank you for your lovely comments and for reading the blog, it’s always appreciated. I ordered my Ginger shoes through Retro Revival in the UK, so I’m not sure how quickly they’ll get here. I can’t wait to see them! xx

  5. Gorgeous outfit and gorgeous shoes – Hotter Shoes always look so cute and so comfortable!

    Also, I LOVE your Lapis Lazuli earrings! Lapis Lazuli is one of my favourite stones and it works beautifully with your whole outfit! 🙂

    I hope you’ve been well!
    <3

    • Thank you Emily! Yes, I love lapis lazuli too, it’s such a beautiful stone. I wear these earrings so often as they go with so many outfits, in fact, I’m wearing them right now! xx

  6. Adorable look! That first photo is just too cute. I love the blue and green together, and the way that you’ve styled the scarf is so pretty with your bob. The shoes are a great accent with the look – perfectly 1930s.

    • Thank you Jessica! Yes, my mum (who takes all my photos) did a great job with these. I have no idea what I was laughing about in that first one, she’d probably just said something very rude! xx

  7. I just love this entire outfit and have been wondering about Hotter shoes since I first saw you post about them. My neighbor brought me a catalogue last winter and I was very tempted. They are very affordable as well.
    Your bag has me seriously jealous along with those gorgeous earrings and incredible blouse and skirt! all so Practical and gorgeous. Thank you for being a constant inspiration.
    Warmly,
    Jennifer

    • Aw, thank you Jennifer! You really should give Hotter shoes a go. The Viviene is a lovely style and the Donna is just beautiful, especially in the suede colours. xx

  8. great outfit – and the shoes really complete it. Nice bag (and especially those handles!)- all looks wonderful together. my weakness will always be shoes, and yet finding a good pair can be tricky. must look up ‘hotter’

    • Thank you Eimear! Yes, I’m a big shoes fan too. Hotter are defintiely worth checking out, their inner sole cushioning is amazing. xx

  9. These are gorgeous shoes, as is the overall look. It just oozes spring – just as we are about to have another cold snap! Kx

    • Thanks Karen! It was actually freezing when we were taking these photos. The wind was howling all around us and I kept having to grab my coat to warm up again. The things we do for vintage fashion! xx

  10. I love the print on your blouse! Although I can’t tell what it is either! I might have to look into Hotter shoes. I have problem feet and have to have good arch support (not sure if they have that or not). I’ve been scouring the Internet for a comfortable yet vintage looking pair of sandals for the summer.

    • Hotter definitely could be a way to go then. They pride themselves on producing shoes for healthy feet and each pair of shoes has specific cushioning inside. They’re much cheaper than good repro brands such as Royal Vintage Shoes and Remix, so it wouldn’t be costly to try them. xx

  11. I’m a bit late, but can I just add to the gushing compliments? You look so happy in this fab outfit! The blouse is very lovely, great colour. I think they’re draughts pieces. But could just as well be tyres or sweets!
    I do like the styles that Hotter brings out but I must be the only person that doesn’t find them a great fit. I find the toe box too short for my feet. Boo!

    I am hoping to go to a Shepton flea in the summer, will let you know which one xx

    • Oh, thank you Sarah! It’s such a shame that Hotter shoes don’t fit you. 🙁 Oh yes, defintiely let me know when you’re going to Shepton flea, it would be wonderful to see you! We’re actually going to the one on Easter Sunday, as long as the weather behaves itself. We also planning to go to Malvern flea on the late May bank holiday, which may be of interest to you. The couple I buy my 1930s furniture from said that it’s very good. xx

  12. Lovely outfit, perfect for spring. I like the addition of the scarf in your hair, that is a nice look. I’m rather keen on Hotter shoes, apart from the styles themselves the half sizes and wide fit options are great for me.

    • Thanks Kate-Em! Hotter really do cater for so many sizes and shapes of feet. I always find their shoes so comfortable. xx

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