Pair of shoes

Young men of the period would often undertake a leisurely journey through Europe known as the Grand Tour. One effect of this was to introduce Continental styles of dress into England, most noticeably in men's wear but more subtly into women's dress.

These women's shoes have a slender 'Italian' heel, with a wedge-like extension under the instep, a style that gained in favour in the late 1760s. The pale colour contrasts with the figured silk upper and is repeated in the latchets, which have small silver-gilt buckle fastenings. Embroidery in silver-gilt thread and spangles, as seen on the vamps of these shoes, was also popular.