Moccasin: the history of the footwear that conquered the world!

Shoes first appeared in the Middle Ages, when men and women wore simple leather shoes to protect their feet from the cold, the heat, and the discomfort of stepping on hard, uneven ground.

Many decades have passed, and fashion has evolved with mankind. The simple leather shoes gave way to beautiful shoes, designed with much refinement, colors, textures, and of course, comfort for the feet.

Heeled shoes and sandals, boots, sneakers, slippers, creepers… are just some of the shoes available in the market, created to suit all consumer tastes.

One of them is the sapato mocassim, a shoe created with comfort, practicality, and beauty for the feet in mind. The word moccasin comes from the Indian word makasin, which means shoe. Let’s learn more about its history.

When did shoes first appear?

Rock paintings from 12,000 to 15,000 B.C. found in Spain indicate men and women wearing shoes made of animal skin to protect their feet during hunting and hiking.

During the Middle Ages in England, King Edward instituted shoe numbering. In Rome, people were judged by the shoes they wore, indicating their social class.

Even the Egyptians created shoes made of papyrus, around 3,700 B.C.

Origin of the moccasin

Moccasins were created by a tribe of North American Indians in the 17th century and were made from raw leather and tree bark. The idea was to protect themselves from the uneven terrain they walked on, as well as to withstand the long walks and pilgrimages they took.

A century after the creation of the moccasin in America, the model migrated to Europe, gaining even more prominence as a shoe as comfortable as sneakers.

Success of the loafer among the famous

But it was in 1950 that the loafer gained worldwide prominence: the King of Rock Elvis Presley appeared wearing the shoe in his performances, making it his trademark.

Years later, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, also adopted the moccasin, influencing even more consumers to try this comfortable and versatile shoe.

After being successful in America and Europe, the fashion came to Brazil to stay. Despite the resistance of many to the new trend, the moccasin conquered its space and has been making the heads of consumers of all ages!

Types of moccasins: which one is ideal for your style?

There are several types of moccasins, created to meet the needs and tastes of customers. Several of these models have evolved over time. Let’s get to know some of them:

Classics

The main characteristic of moccasins is that they do not have laces, so they fit easily on the feet. The sole is thinner in the front, with a small heel in the back. The classic moccasin is made of leather, with details dotted on the seams.

Bangs

The fringed loafer model has a kind of frayed tongue on the upper part, full of side seams, still reminding us of the Indian origin.

Drive

As the name says (drive – which means to drive), this type of moccasin was created to meet the needs of drivers, providing comfort and safety. This model is narrower, also made of leather, with a thinner and more flexible sole.

On its sole (the part where the foot is in contact with the pedals in the car) rubber balls or plates were placed, to prevent the foot from slipping, also contributing to increase the feet’s blood circulation during long trips.

The drive loafer model has high durability and versatility, matching several day-to-day looks, both for men and women.

Loafer

The Loafer is very versatile, in addition to adding a lot of practicality to the day to day, it can be combined with the most varied types of looks, whether they are in neutral or more vibrant colors. Wear it with Bermuda shorts, jeans, or dress pants and you will get a perfect result.

Sider

It was created for the nautical lifestyle, in the 30’s, when the sailor Paul Sperry felt the need to use a shoe that was non-slip, precisely for safety. The original model has a white sole (black sole can also be found) and the laces are inspired by the ropes of sailing ships.

Nowadays, they may present hand-made seams, without the lateral laces, among others.

• The ideal is that the sole of the moccasin, as well as of shoes in general, should be 1.5 cm thick, with an elevation in the heel of 2.5 cm, reducing the pressure on the lower back and calf.
• The lining of the shoe should be very malleable, allowing the feet to breathe – this is why many moccasins are made of leather.
• Non-slip soles, preventing accidents and slipping on uneven ground.

The right loafer for every occasion

Each person has his or her own style, taste and personality, but there are some basic rules that can be adhered to by everyone when choosing a loafer for certain occasions. 

For leisure

Bet on models with lighter colors, on the drive style for traveling by car and on the sider model on the weekend at the beach or on the boat.

Complement the look with shorts, light pants, linen or twill blouses.

Romantic encounters, outings with friends     

Opt for the classic loafer, matching it with pants (can be jeans), shorts or shorts. Choose a shirt or blouse in the same color as the shoe.

• Suede loafers never go out of style.
• The belt should be the same color as the shoe, providing a more harmonious tone to the look.
• Stockings can be worn with moccasins as long as they are social and in the same color as the shoes.
• The jacket does not go with moccasin, because the piece requires a more formal and darker shoe.

All types of shoes can be adapted to the style of each person, the difference lies in common sense, consistency, and proper combination with the pieces of the look, whether at work or on a daily basis. Which model of moccasin do you like the most?

See more at: Vocca