The winkle pickers are sharp pointed shoes and boots.
Winkle Pickers were originally worn in the late 1950s by the new breed of British youngsters called rock fans. This group of young people were followers of the new rock music and developed a look of their own that included the new pointed shoes.
Why is it called a winkle picker?
It seems to have got its illustrious name from its resemblance to the pointed tool used to extract winkles from their shells. Somehow the term for the new pointed footwear craze took its name from the above.
Why? ……..Who knows!
For whatever reason the name stuck and half a century later are still referred to in the same way.
Era
Winkle pickers were popular in the early 60’s with modernists, (forerunners of the mods). The true mod was a sharp dresser, but their era was 1963 to 64, either side of this was fashion developing. London’s West End was where you bought your gear off the peg from the likes of Lord John, John Steven etc. Outside of London the guys would go to Burtons, John Collier Hepworths etc to have their suits made to measure.
From late 1963 winkle pickers had the toes chopped and became chisel toes. The mods were by now wearing penny loafers and moccasin styles.
Alas winkle pickers were out...
Winkle pickers again made, yet another comeback in the late 70’s and 80’s with the punks, Rockabillies and latterly with the Goths. These shoes simply will not rollover and die!
Where were winkle pickers made?
Winkle pickers were originally made in the UK at factories in Northampton, but finer versions soon came out of Italy in softer leather and more stylish than the British made ones.
Comfort!
What comfort! The original winkle pickers were about style only, with no consideration to comfort. I still have the bent small toes to prove it.
Never say die
Today, winkle.pickers are once again popular with certain segments of the populace. This includes some well known members of bands and celebrities, as well as the vogue Goths and Punks.
The style has never disappeared completely though, as revivalists have always worn them. However it is very difficult to get true winkle.pickers and any secondhand versions are like gold dust. Some very dubious versions of this cult footwear are on offer but in general are absolute crap.
Some high street chains are now turning out narrow toe shoes, but they are certainly not winkle pickers! However the modern male seems to be looking fondly at the winkle picker look !
Fortunately or unfortunately depending on your outlook on life I have now reproduced what I term the real winkle picker. I was 13 years old when they first entered my life (three years before hearing about this new group called the Beatles) the year was 1960.
I have been in the forefront of fashion all my life. (What a sad bastard I am) I have now gone back to my grass roots and reproduced winkle pickers as they should be ! This is where I came in!!!!!
I must confess however I have changed one thing and that is, these winkle pickers will not give you the same ugly mother f…… toes as I have.
My winkle pickers are made in the home of footwear, Italy and anyone wearing them will be amazed at the comfort...I really cannot be responsible for crippling another generation!
