A T-bar sandal or T-bar shoe (also known in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

as "school sandal" or "closed-toe sandal") is a closed, low-cut shoe with two or more straps forming one or more T shapes (one or more straps across the instep passing through a perpendicular, central strap that extends from the vamp). Classic T-bars for children are typically made of blue or brown

leather Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs and hog ...

, have two thin straps forming a single T shape and fastened with a buckle, a broad and rounded

toe box The toe box is the section of footwear that surrounds the toes on closed-toe shoes. Toe boxes that are too tight can cause injuries and foot deformities, whereas wider toe boxes may be used to treat or prevent common foot conditions such as Mor ...

pierced with a pattern of holes, a low heel, and a crêpe rubber outsole stitched-down to the upper. Among boys, T-bars are traditionally worn with socks (though it is possible without them as well), short trousers and a shirt.

History

First seen in Europe and America in the early 1900s, T-bars became very common among children in the 1950s, particularly among boys where they supplanted pre-war

Mary Janes Mary Jane (also known as bar shoes or doll shoes) is an American term ( formerly a registered trademark) for a closed, low-cut shoe with one or more straps across the instep. Classic Mary Janes for children are typically made of black leather ...

. T-bar wearing declined after the 1960s nonetheless, following the cultural and clothing revolution that swept the West. Today, T-bars are more associated with girls, particularly the more classic styles and are often considered semi-formal shoes, appropriate for school (some primary schools in the United Kingdom require that pupils wear them with their

uniform A uniform is a variety of clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are most often worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, ...

). They may also be viewed as formal shoes for children, suitable for religious ceremonies, weddings, visits, and birthday parties for example. More modern styles are worn in casual settings, however: playgrounds, shopping centres, etc. Although less popular than in the past, T-bars remain a timeless classic of children's fashion and, for many people, a symbol of childhood.

Gallery

File:Lido, Grand Hotel des Bains. Fortepan 4365.jpg, Two boys wearing twin-strap T-bar sandals in

Venice Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges. The isla ...

, Italy. in 1907. File:D1422 B76292 C08 (8595111416).jpg, Studio photograph of a seven-year-old boy wearing T-bar sandals in Strabane, Northern Ireland, 1915. File:Fotothek df roe-neg 0006209 026 Porträt eines Jungen mit Zuckertüte.jpg, A schoolboy with a '' Schultüte'' and wearing T-bar sandals in

Leipzig Leipzig ( , ; Upper Saxon: ) is the most populous city in the German state of Saxony. Leipzig's population of 605,407 inhabitants (1.1 million in the larger urban zone) as of 2021 places the city as Germany's eighth most populous, as ...

, East Germany, 1951. File:Telyn Gothic newydd i Christine Lee, 9 oed, o Ros-y-bol (8517453105).jpg, A girl harpist wearing twin-strap T-bar sandals in Wales, 1960. File:NW, MW & ADW in 1964.jpg, Studio photograph of boys wearing T-bar sandals in

Colombo Colombo ( ; si, කොළඹ, translit=Koḷam̆ba, ; ta, கொழும்பு, translit=Koḻumpu, ) is the executive and judicial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, Colombo m ...

, Sri Lanka, 1964. File:Brownie and Girl Guide Uniforms Canada circa 1975 (8202402537).jpg, A

Girl Guide Girl Guides (known as Girl Scouts in the United States and some other countries) is a worldwide movement, originally and largely still designed for girls and women only. The movement began in 1909 when girls requested to join the then-grassroot ...

and a Brownie wearing T-bar sandals in Canada, about 1975. File:Hunting-MacGregor.jpg, A four-year-old boy wearing a kilt and T-bar sandals in Scotland, 1987.

References

{{Footwear Children's clothing Sandals Shoes

History

Gallery

See also

References