Bessie Women's Vintage Aviator Boots (Tan)
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Onward to adventure in the stunning reproduction Bessie Vintage Aviator Boots! These beautiful all-leather boots are carefully recreated from two pairs of original 1930s women's sporting boots right down to the nifty side pocket.
We've named these vintage reproduction boots after Bessie Coleman, the first Black and Indigenous American woman to hold a pilot's license. Bessie traveled to France in 1920, learning to fly a Nieuport 564 biplane, and earning her aviation license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Returning to the USA, she became an acclaimed daredevil pilot in airshows, earning the nicknames "Queen Bess" and "Brave Bessie," and inspiring generations of Black and Indigenous women in aviation to this day.
Bessie Boots are perfect for adventures from the Great War period through the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. This style of boot was popular and well-loved. Wear them for numerous cosplays, Land Girl, motorcycling, and aviator costumes, for riding, working, and hiking, with breeches or skirts, historic or modern.
As a lace-up boot, Bessies are very adjustable for a wide variety of ankle and calf measurements. The top of the Bessie boots do reach the calf muscle, and we've designed this area to be particularly adjustable for a broad range.
Based on a size 7.5 (Measurements scale a little bigger or smaller based on size)
Calf Size Range - 14 - 19.5 in / 35.6 - 49.5 cm
Ankle circumference - 8.5 - 14 in / 21.6 - 35.5 cm
Boot height (does not include heel) - 12.5 in / 31.7 cm
Materials & Sizing
- High grade 100% leather uppers
- 100% leather sole and rubber heel lift
- Leather collar cotton twill canvas lining
- 5 in / 12.7 cm cm wide tongue with lace keeper loop
- Speed hooks for quick lacing
- Right-side calf pocket fits business and credit cards
- Comes with two lengths of boot laces
- "B" width (average) with a relaxed fit and wide toe box
- Runs true to size for most customers.
- Order a half-size larger for wide-width feet, or if you prefer your shoes to fit more loosely, or intend to wear with thicker stockings.
| Sizing | |
|---|---|
| Size Trends | Runs true to size for most customers. |
| Width | Regular (B) width |
| Size Chart | |
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| Materials | |
|---|---|
| Color | Cognac |
| Upper | 100%Leather |
| Lining | Pigskin leather & cotton twill textile |
| Sole | Leather |
| Heel | Stacked leather veneer |
| Heel Height | 1.25 in / 3.2 cm |
| Footbed | Lightly Padded |
| Closure | Laces |
| Origins | |
|---|---|
| Design | Designed in Reno, Nevada, USA |
| Materials | People's Republic of China |
| Assembly | Made in China |
Customer Reviews
I’m 43 years old and have owned a lot of boots in my life. These are hands down the best pair of boots I’ve ever purchased. Comfortable, perfect fit, beautiful craftsmanship, love.
I purchased the Bessie Women’s Vintage Aviator Boots and the Flora Women’s Embroidery Boots and I’m so happy that I did! They have a great fit and they don’t have zippers. I believe that boots should be laced up every time for that great comfortable fit. I will be buying more shoes from American Duchess because they are authentic and the workman ship is amazing. Thank you American Duchess for a truly amazing product.
I love these boots. They seem well-made, which is good because I tend to wear out boots that I love. The calves of the boots are a wee bit big on me but I do have very skinny calves and I think as the boots soften up, this will be less of an issue. Just the right blend of attitude and elegance. Thanks, AD!
Absolutely gorgeous, fit perfectly and are incredibly comfortable. I got them for the ren faire and have spent the last 2 weekends walking around in the woods andI have never been happier in a pair of shoes.
I have long wanted a pair of calf-length boots, but I was afraid to buy a pair online because of the hassle of sending back boots that don't fit right. I have wide calfs. They rarely fit right. I was hesitant to purchase these boots at first. However, the item information states that they fit a wide variety of calf sizes, and I had fallen in love with them, so I got them. I'm so glad that I did! They fit so well. They are an investment, but they should last for decades. I read a book about Bessie Coleman, the woman the boots are named for. She's one of the women honoured in the American Women quarters that are currently being circulated. That's how amazing she was. I believe that she would be very flattered to know that she has been remembered on American currency as well as the name of these boots. Read up on her, and buy these boots if you can afford them. They are worth the price.
