Moccasins and moccasins

Moccasins, top-siders, loafers, … many men do not fully understand the difference between all these types of shoes. Stylish summer shoes came into our everyday life not so long ago, but the history of these shoes dates back to the times of the North American Indians, long before the beginning of our era.

Today we will look at the history of moccasins and find out why some moccasins are made without a sole, while others are made specifically for drivers. How do moccasins differ from top-siders (yacht shoes) or from loafers? In addition, we will give some tips on what to wear moccasins and are they worn with socks?

What are Moccasins?

Moccasins have a long history, but first, let's clarify what the term actually means. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes moccasins as' flat shoes made of soft leather, the soles of which can be flexible, hard or soft; in moccasins, the soft sole runs in a seamless piece from the heel to the toes, where it joins the outer seam to the U-shaped part lying on top of the leg. The upper part of moccasins is often decorated with embroidery, beading or other ornamentation. ' Another authoritative publication, Wikipedia, defines moccasins as the traditional shoes of the North American Indians, which are made only from rawhide, sewn with awls, needles and vein threads.

Original moccasins

Modern moccasins are made from different materials:

• textile,
• suede leather,
• leather,
• leatherette.

There are men's moccasins, women's and also unisex. In addition, moccasins are divided into types:

• casual moccasins,
• moccasins for the office,
• sports moccasins,
• evening or business moccasins.

The sole of moccasins is made of rubber, rubber or leather. Note that some people claim that a genuine moccasin does not have a separate sole. Indeed, many Native American moccasins did not use soles, because the soft leather was ideal for woodland and hunting. Tribes that lived in the mountains often attached a separate bison leather sole so moccasins were appropriate for their environment.

Soleless moccasin – genuine moccasin

Soft leather shoes with heels or suede loafers are often advertised as moccasins, but this is technically incorrect. They are 'moccasin style' with a U-shaped leather upper.

The history of moccasins

Moccasins are considered traditional footwear in North America. Although it can be argued that the moxas were invented by the Indians. Some historians believe that moccasins entered what is now the United States about 30,000 years ago across the Bering Sea from Asia. Subsequently, the style was adapted by Indian tribes and due to the different climates and different habitats in North America. Various types of moccasins emerged, each suited to a specific climate and tribal habitat.

North American Native Family in Moccasins

Etymologically, the word moccasin or 'mohkisson' is derived from the Algonquian language Pohatan and means shoes. In fact, most of the indigenous Indian tribes of North America had their own similar words to denote shoes, but since the Algonquans were the first people encountered by Europeans around 1615 in North America, the term was brought to England where it was adopted.

Besides North America, shoes similar to moccasins were found quite recently, in 2008, in a cave in Armenia. The moccasins are approximately 5,500 years old.

Ancient moccasin found in 2008 in a cave in Armenia

Moccasins have been found in the swamps of Ireland, made around 700-900 BC. A characteristic feature of the find was that they were made by a sewing method without excess leather and a separate sewn-on heel to protect the leg.

The style of the original moccasins

While there are different styles of moccasins that have evolved due to different Indian tribal habitats and climates, they can be roughly divided into two types: hard-soled and soft-soled moccasins.

Loafers with solid sole

Typically associated with the western plains and deserts of North America. The hard soles were often made from tough bison leather and designed to protect the wearer's feet from the prickly cactus and prairie grass typical of the area. In addition, they protected against sharp stones. Hard-soled moccasins were usually made from two or more pieces of hide. Usually moccasins were sewn with a raised toe so as not to touch the seam on sharp stones and not to injure the leg through the hole formed.

Loafers with solid sole

Loafers with soft soles

Typically associated with the Eastern Forests of North America, where there is mostly woodland with leaves and pine needles covering the ground, so the feet do not require the protection of a firm sole. Soft-soled moxes were often made from just one piece of leather. The outsole was gathered in folds around the leg and pinned around the instep; some were seamed on one side rather than in the center. However, the most basic style is a simple center seam. The two pieces form a U-shaped piece that serves as the front piece. Some had an extra part that served as a cuff.

Loafers with soft soles

These two main types of moccasins gave rise to a huge variety of moccasin styles among different Indian tribes. In fact, these styles were so distinctive that it was possible to identify the tribe by moccasins. The experts went further, identifying different tribes in the footsteps of moccasins.

Leather moccasins

Loafers with hard soles were made of soft, unbroken, brown deer, buffalo or bison skin. You can also find moccasins made from suede or moose leather. They were gathered inside out, and thus the seam was hidden. The animal tendon was used for stitching. The knot has been placed on the outside to provide comfort. Overcast and basting stitches were commonly used. The moccasin structure was rather mediocre, however, each tribe had distinctive decoration techniques. Beading, embroidery and dyeing were used to adorn moccasins. Women of certain tribes often lengthened moccasins higher, giving fashion to a new type of footwear – boots.

Loafers decorated with embroidery and beads

Moccasins were created for both comfort and practical use. The moccasins allowed the wearer to 'feel' the ground as he walked, while the legs were protected. In addition, the moccasins did not make noise when walking, which was necessary when hunting an animal or bird.

Since moccasins were designed for specific habitats and terrain, it was no surprise that very soon they became the shoe of choice for Europeans. Among European settlers, they were favored by hunters and traders who walk long distances.

Moccasins remained popular with European settlers due to their practicality. But as the country became more industrialized at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, moccasins slowly began to lose their popularity. By the time of World War II, they could only be found in resorts and souvenir shops. After the end of World War II, a new generation decided to follow the path of natural beauty and renew the popularity of moccasins. By this time, advances in the industrial sector had allowed moccasins to be created in a variety of leathers and colors, giving the models style. Very soon their popularity was restored, which is evidenced by the fact that in 1946 the company Minnetonka Moccasins was founded.

Moccasins from Minnetonka Moccasins

Today, most moccasins have double soles for increased durability and durability. Moccasins for drivers with rubber soles or rubber inserts appeared; began to sew topsides with thick non-slip soles, began to make loafers from hard leather with a solid sole for a business dress code.

The original moccasins are rarely worn outdoors because the pavement and concrete are too hard for them. Some use moxas as home shoes.

Moccasins, loafers and topsides

How do moccasins differ from loafers and top-siders? Modern moccasins are leather shoes with thin soles without a heel, decorated with a fringe, tassel or bridle bridge. A characteristic feature is the presence of an external seam that holds the last and the upper part of the moccasin together. Sometimes decorative lacing is found.

Loafers, unlike moccasins, have a rigid sole and heel. Most often, loafers are made of tougher leather than moccasins. These are the most formal shoes among the three.

Top-siders also differ from moccasins in their thicker and stiffer soles. A characteristic feature of the top siders is a white grooved sole, which does not slip on the deck of a yacht or ship. In addition, lacing is present on the topsides, which serves its intended purpose – secures the shoes on the foot. In the case of moccasins, lacing is a decorative element.

Moccasins, loafers and topsides

Moccasins for drivers or Toda moccasins

Today, the most popular style of moccasins is for driving a car. Technically, this is not a real moccasin, but rather a new type created by the owner of the Italian company Tod's – Diego Della Valle. His father owned a footwear company that created exclusive footwear for Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. At the age of 16, he came across an interesting pair of moccasins that were made in Portugal. Although they were poorly sewn, he found them interesting and brought them home. Today they are the core of the Tod's brand.

Moccasins for drivers or Toda moccasins

Toda's driving moccasins have rubber spikes on the outsole. They are usually used as casual summer shoes in which you can drive a car or just walk. Unfortunately, these shoes wear out quickly and cannot be repaired. Most people give them up as soon as the studs wear out. Sometimes, the shoemaker will be able to glue or sew on a new, more durable sole, however, this will affect the character of the shoe.

Finding moccasins can be a problem. The problem of too many choices among thousands of brands in all price categories.

What to wear with moccasins

Due to the fact that moccasins differ from each other in model, quality of leather, color and various decorative elements, some may be appropriate with a classic suit, others exclusively with shorts.

Loafers in classic business colors (black, brown, dark blue, burgundy, Burgundy, amber, emerald) with a minimum of decorative elements, suitable for smart-casual, business-casual and business dress code, where a classic suit is appropriate. Tassel loafers will also work, as this decorative element borrows from loafers – the most formal type of shoe from the summer 'casual three'.

However, do not show up in moccasins at important business meetings; instead, wear loafers instead.

Sports moccasins, which are sometimes difficult to distinguish from light leather sneakers, are appropriate to wear with breeches, shorts, jeans. It is convenient to take long walks in sports moccasins, but it is better not to run. As you remember, lacing is decorative and you can simply lose your boot while jogging.

Non-standard moccasins made of suede, velor, corduroy or just bright colors (red moccasins also belong here) look good in smart-casual and casual styles. I think bright moccasins are a great excuse to diversify your everyday stylish look. Wear casual chinos, a t-shirt with an interesting pattern, a blazer or blazer, and fancy, colorful moccasins. In my opinion, if not in the summer to carry out such experiments with style, then when ?!

Orange smart casual loafers Blue smart casual moccasins Blue moccasins paired with red shorts and a T-shirt Navy loafers paired with jeans and a T-shirt Loafers paired with chinos

Departing from the topic, are moccasins suitable for spring, fall, or winter? The simple answer is no. Although there are moccasins with fur, I can hardly imagine a man in a coat, tied with a scarf and moccasins. You don’t go, I hope, in boots in the summer? So don't wear moxas in winter … well, unless you got into the car in a warm parking lot, went to a shopping center or a club, then you can;)

Moccasins with fur

Are moccasins worn with socks

A very popular question. Usually, moccasins are worn without socks, but this is not a panacea. Recently, people have come up with the idea of ​​wearing very short socks that do not peek out from under the shoes. Alternatively, you can wear colored socks to match your style.

Short moccasin socks Top Siders and Short Socks

Personally, it is more convenient for me to wear moccasins with socks in the city, since after 2-3 hours of walking my legs sweat and you can earn yourself a couple of calluses. On the beach, it is more convenient to wear moccasins without socks, since walks can be alternated with gatherings in a cafe and your feet do not have time to sweat. Also, without socks, your feet are fresher from the light breeze.

It is important to note that we are only talking about genuine leather moccasins. Only in genuine leather moccasins can you hope that your legs will naturally ventilate.

Top brands of moccasins

Today, the production of moccasins is centralized in three locations: USA, Europe, Australia. Over the past 100 years, both eminent brands and small-town factories that are engaged in mono-production (i.e. they produce only moccasins and nothing else) have entered the moccasin production race. So let's start looking at each continent separately.

American moccasins

A distinctive feature of moccasins from the United States is practicality and comfort. The most famous manufacturers of American moccasins:

• Allen Edmonds is one of the few companies that has survived the threshold of 100 years of existence and still makes quality footwear.
• Bass is a good range and relatively low prices for quality footwear.
• Sebago – you need bison leather shoes, this is for them.
• Timberland – they don't seem to sell moccasins, but there are top-siders.
• Florsheim is an old company that sells loafers and topsides.
• Minnetonka Moccasin is the first brand in the US to officially launch moccasins.
• Hush Puppies – They make good casual shoes, including moccasins.

European moccasins

Moccasins from Europe are characterized by their style and model variety. Writing the merits and demerits of each brand is a utopian task, so let's just list them.

• Существует масса брендов из Италии: Tods, Gucci, Zegna, Fratelli Rosetti, Moreschi, Dolce&Gabbana, Prada, Giorgio Armani, Dsquared², А.Testoni, Alberto Guardiani, Costume National, Trussardi.
• French Moccasin Brands: Hermes, J. B. Weston, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Lacoste.
• English moccasins: Wirdsmith, Richmond.
• German moccasins: Harai, Adidas, Hugo Boss.
• Moccasins from Spain: Zara, Balenciaga.

Australian moccasins

In the most remote continent, there is only one moccasin manufacturer – Ugg Australia. Yes, yes, they also make ugg boots. By the way, it is Ugg Australia that makes moccasins with fur.

Finally

Moccasins are one of the oldest types of footwear, along with sandals or wicker shoes. While Archimedes made discoveries in physics, mathematics, laid the foundations in mechanics and hydrostatics, the Indians of North America have worn moxas for thousands of years. The conclusion is simple: moccasins are shoes for all times, which will not be easy to refuse, it is worth putting it on once.