1940s

Man's 'Air-o-Magic' Spectator Shoes

Two-tone shoes became popular for sporting and casual wear in the 1930s and 1940s. Although favored by fashion leaders such as the Duke of Windsor and Fred Astaire, spectator shoes also had somewhat rakish associations (perhaps best summed up by their British name "co-respondents," due to their association with disreputable third parties cited in divorce cases). With their cushioned insole, these "Air-o-Magic" shoes promised the snappy dresser both smart styling and concealed comfort.