Kensington 18th Century Leather Shoes (Black)
Description
Kensington 18th century shoes offer all the sensibility of hard-wearing camp shoes, but are also lovely to look at and comfortable to wear.
Featuring our custom made French heels, and hand-sewn pointed toes, Kensingtons exhibit all the trademarks of shoes historically accurate for the American Colonial period, particularly the Revolutionary War years.
Why sacrifice style for practicality when you can have both? Dress your Kensies up with glittery paste buckles, or dress them down with a simpler buckle design (see latchet sizing information below). Whichever class you represent, camp follower to aristocrat, your feet will be as well-dressed as the rest of you.
Kensington do not come with buckles, but you can find our 18th-century shoe buckles in the accessories section. Please read our Buckle fitting instructions or watch our shoe buckle fitting video for more information.
Sizing
Materials
Design & Production
I'm a bit disappointed because the left shoe arrived with silver pen marks on the black leather. Fortunately, it will be hidden by the buckle and the closure. Since I'm from Europe, I don't want to return the pair, which actually fits me well.
Oh that certainly shouldn't have happened, but luckily those can be removed very quickly! It's a disappearing pen that's used to mark the leather for cutting, and will go away if you aim a hair dryer at it for a few moments. We'll reach out via email too to make sure we get this resolved for you!
Perfect on my foot!
Beautiful shoe. Good fit. Very comfortable.
I only dislike the fact that the buckles are just separately available, and that there are not a pair of simple standart buckles with the shoes. And that there no extra heals with every pair. Some do, some don’t.
We're happy you like them! Our choice to sell the buckles separately is very intentional, and it saves you money and gives you the chance to choose the buckle you want. We have several different buckle options, and most customers would prefer to choose which one they like, rather than be stuck with whatever base option came with the shoe. Two, some folks already have their own buckles, and don't want to pay more for a second pair of buckles they don't need. Three, for folks who buy more than one pair of latchet shoes, we wouldn't want to send them duplicates of buckles they already own! Selling them separately ensures we can offer you a lower price on the shoes, and you can pick the buckle that's perfect for you.
We include a complimentary set of extra heel caps with many of our high heeled shoes as a courtesy, when they're a style that uses the easy pop on pop off caps. Some styles use a different type of cap, and don't come with an extra pair. For all shoes, any local cobbler can replace a heel cap when it wears down - it's the most common job they do for women's heels!
This is my second pair of Kensington, and this time I choose half a measure more, because the other one was annoying at my right toe, but it's not really a change, not even with a slightly bigger shoe, unfortunately. Very strange, because your Bernadette for example are like met to measure, also the Tango boots. I hope that the leather will adapt to my shape with time and patience. The colour is marvellous and also the shiny surface
If you're not noticing a difference in the toe with the half size up, it usually means that the shoe is a litttle wide for you and your foot is sliding forward in the shoe too far. Increasing the size of the shoe will not fix this; if anything it will make it worse! If you scoot your foot back against the back of the shoe and the toe feeling gets better, that's confirmation. We'd recommend using a ball of foot cushion at the front to keep your foot from shifting forward too much.
These shoes are gorgeous. I was so glad to see them back in stock.
Wspaniałe i wygodne buty. Pasują idealnie do mojej stylizacji z XVIII wieku
I cannot say nothing but perfect as always If I could I would own every single shoe from American duchess, they are beautiful and comfortable.
Like the shoe but very small in size.. I wish I had orded a half size lager.I got a broad front on my foot.
Hi Unn,
If the shoe is tight around the widest portion of your foot, then the leather on the Kensington will stretch well in the area to give you a little more room. Please let us know if you have questions regarding stretching, as stretched shoes are unreturnable.
These ladies were just so wonderfull I had to buy a second pair right after receiving my first pair. Very comfortable and looks amazing.
Finally put the buckles on and wore them, and they were completely comfortable all day! I need to tighten the buckle on the right foot but otherwise it was perfect. The heel is the perfect height for me and there was no rubbing or anything to make my feet hurt! I’m usually a size 9.5 in American Duchess but sometimes a 10, which is the case with these. I think a 9.5 would be too tight.
This was my first purchase from American Duchess so I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. The shoes are beautiful, historically correct and super comfortable. I stayed in my normal size and they fit perfectly. They also shipped super quick! I can't wait to wear these to events this season. Thank you!
Once I figured out how to fit the buckles properly (which was entirely a user error) these shoes were a dream to wear. They might actually be the most comfortable pair of heels I own. I found them to be true to size, but years of dance have left me more comfortable in snug-fitting shoes. I'm just hoping they release more colors soon!
American Duchess never, ever disappoints me! These shoes are so sturdy, comfortable, and pretty that I intend on wearing them as much as I can this spring. The only problem that I have is the fit. The 9 would undoubtedly be too big, but the 8.5 is a little snugger than I would prefer. I am in the process of stretching them with the Angelus leather stretcher that I have. I think that these shoes will be wonderful when they break in a bit. I bought them for my upcoming production of The Gondoliers in which I am singing the role of Vittoria. Thank you, AD, for being so amazing at what you do. Every time I do a show, I look forward to buying a pair of historically-accurate shoes for the production!
I just received my size 6 Kensignton's and they are so comfortable. I am shocked. I have a medium to wide foot but they fit well and are very comfortable. I am looking froward to wearing these with my custom outfit at our DAR event in February. I will order again. Thanks!
Oh my gosh, Lauren! I just got home to find these had arrived and I have been so excited to see them for ages. As I am not planning to wear my orthotics with these, I ordered the size you suggested, based on my foot measurements and your instructions. I'm delighted to say they fit perfectly! In fact, I want to wear them every day, they're so wonderful, but I will try to restrain myself until my trip over the pond in March, when I'm going to Colonial Williamsburg (and I'm bummed I won't meet you guys). Loved the candy in there and the spare heels - do you offer them as an extra on the site? And if someone can just advise me on how the heck I buckle my shoes now, I'll be all set!
I am very pleased with these shoes. They are comfortable right out of the box -- no break in period required. The sizing is accurate -- I wear a 9 medium, and these shoes fit perfectly with stockings. The instructions on this website for adding a shoe buckle were helpful. While I don't think I would wear these to march in any parades because of the heel, they a lovely and stylish accessory to my colonial costume when giving historic house tours. I can navigate the stairs and uneven floors of my 241 year old DAR chapter house comfortably and without issue. Definitely recommend!
Beautiful shoe! I actually bought these to wear with a 1920s evening dress. But this is a shoe I will wear whenever I need to don a dress shoe. You will need to purchase buckles for the shoes. Also, you can find The Duchesses instructions online to show how you install the buckles. Sizing: Depending on the toe box shape, I am size 8-8.5. However, in this shoe I needed to size up to a 9. Otherwise my toes were too cramped. I have Greek toes (my 2nd toe is longer than my 1st) so dress shoes can be tricky. If you do not have this problem you may not need to change sizes. In the 20s T-Strap she carries I am a size 8.5. So it really varies by shoe type. If you are in a time crunch and unsure, order 2 diff sizes and return the one that doesn't fit. The Duchess is awesome with returns, very speedy.
I ordered these lovely a few days ago after lusting for a pair of these shoes for over a year. They are WONDERFUL! It all it. From the shoes, to the packaging, the buckles, the stockings, ALL of it! I think the quality of these are just superb and fit seems to be right on the money. The only issue I have is that my right foot is wider than my left so the right shoe is a bit tight. But I couldn't have gone any bigger or the left would be way to big. Since these are leather, and I can control how tightly I buckle them, I am confident then will stretch on the right foot to be just perfect :) I will be putting another pair of AD shoes (or 2) on layaway next week.
I just received my size 7 1/2 black Kensington's, and I love them! Not only do they look so sleek and elegant, but they fit perfectly; didn't need to go up to a size 8 or 8.5. I definitely cannot wait to wear these with my gowns. :D
I do 18th century reenactment dancing and I just received my Kensington's today. I had originally ordered a size 10 based on other reviews to order a size up. However I found a 10 to be a little to big and so exchanged for a 9.5 and they fit perfectly. I usually wear between a 8.5 to 9.5 depending on the style shoe. I thought the quality of these shoes to be great and I loved that they are soft and not stiff which in other brand shoes I've purchased make shoes uncomfortable. The heel height is also perfect as I don't like really high heels and with dancing it's tough to dance with a heel to high so these should work well. I have dance rehearsals every week and I am planning on wearing them this coming week to see how they feel while dancing, but I have no doubt they'll be great!! Wonderful product and I plan on purchasing other products in the future.
I've been wearing these for dancing (minuets etc.) for about a year now and really love them. They fit perfectly with the aid of the sizing guide. The heel is really pretty and doesn't get in the way when dancing. My favourite pair of shoes, hands down. Transatlantic shipping was great, I was even able to pay customs fees directly to the postman (instead of having to go to the customs office) because everything was declared correctly.
I love these shoes and get so many compliments on them. I volunteer at a living history farm and the ground is uneven and rough. I can wear my Kensingtons all day long -- 8 hours at a time, in comfort. As the other reviewers have said, order a size up.. I typically wear a 6 or 6 1/2, but I wear a 7 in the Kensington.
I received my black Kensies in the mail in record time this past Saturday! I originally ordered a 9.5 as I typically wear a 9.5 to 10 in regular shoes. But when I received them they were way too tight. Since I wear cotton stockings, I decided to order up to a 10.5 and lucky me, they fit! They are gorgeous, well-made, and even though I have big feet, these shoes actually make them look dainty. Imagine that! I definitely recommend ordering up if you are in between sizes or wear thicker stockings. I cannot wait to wear them at my first "big" reenactment this weekend.
These shoes are very comfortable and the buckles were easy to put on. I have a red pair and ordered them in black.
Thank you for these fantastic shoes!! Fit and comfort are great and they look so authentic. I will send pictures from our next bal masqu!!
My old 18th c shoes were literally leaving me limping by the end of the day.My hubbys well meaning idea of buying a pair of nice sturdy, sensible, ugly, clunky men's shoes was...well...I'd rather limp. Until I found the Kensingtons ! I ordered a half size larger because I like thicker socks. No toe pinching or foot aching. Nice sensible height heel (which is important to me since I chase 3 kids between the ages of 1 & 6 around camp), well made, reasonably priced, comfortable & stylish. Best 18th C. shoes I've ever found. First "big event" coming up this weekend and I'm looking forward to not having sore feet. I will be recommending American Duchess shoes to anyone who will listen ! (Plus they come from a company that really listens to what people want, takes time to do their research, has high quality standards and goes the extra mile to make everything perfect.)