Traditional Breton Clogs

I have been fascinated by clogs, or wooden soled shoes and boots for most of my life. In the 1970s when I was at school, my pride and joy were a pair of very fashionable black Swedish clogs that my marvellous Mother scrimped and saved to buy for me. They were stolen from my locker while I was doing PE on the first day I wore them. I was heartbroken.

When I first started to buy French textiles, I sometimes came across clogs, and have now started to buy them whenever I see a pair that interests me. The first type shown here are unworn child’s Breton clogs, most likely dating somewhere around the late 19th to early 20th century, they are very small, and would probably fit a small 8-10 year old. They would have had a ‘tread’ applied to the sole and heel before being sold, so I think they must have come from a clog-makers workshop. They are beautifully made from tough brown leather with wooden soles and heels made from one piece. They are similar to English Northern clogs. They are made as boots with brass eyelets and brown laces.

The other type of clogs I often come across are galoshes, or over-shoes, worn quite literally over the shoes to protect the leather from mud or rain. These two pairs are rather nice, made to imitate a smart pair of shoes, with brogue patterns across the toes, I imagine these were boy's clogs, or for a small man.

There are a few pairs of clogs for sale in my website.