Although it’s great to see company’s like Patina bringing back boutique updates of historical shoe and boots styles, it’s good (illuminating) to remember that these were all just standard, staple offerings–w/payless shoe source availability–in 1949. Browsing the pages of MW catalog can be heartbreaking if you’re more accustomed to stalking these items in one off appearances in thrift stores or vintage shops. I’m struck by the promise of newness, the choice in quality grades and of course, the plentifulness (pages and pages) of offerings. Women fare pretty well in this world as well (if you promise to restrict your wear of your new MW purchases to garage or gardening chores).