Shoe History Corner: Presidential Footwear
posted by: Shomore in Shoe History Corner on January 24th, 2010
Shoe and lifestyle brand Johnston & Murphy (J&M) has the unique distinction of designing shoes for every president since 1850. On ShoesofthePresidents.com, J&M has documented this rich tradition with fascinating presidential footwear factoids including:
- Abraham Lincoln had the largest foot of any US president. He wore a size 14 shoe.
- Bill Clinton came a close second – he had size 13D shoes. When he won the election, J&M crafted him a pair of blue suede shoes in recognition of his love of playing the sax.
- Rutherfod B. Hayes wore a size 7 shoe, which happens to be the smallest foot of any president.
- Herbert Hoover had the narrowest shoes – a size 11.5AA.
- For sitting President Barack Obama, J&M created a pair of oxfords and boots in size 12. The oxfords were presented to Barack in a shoe box made of koa wood from his home state of Hawaii while the boots were inspired by the shoes that J&M created for Lincoln, Obama’s hero.
J&M Obama Shoe with koa wood box
- Johnston & Murphy Obama Shoe inspired by Abraham Lincoln
Wonder what would happen if America ever elected a female president? I was happy to discover that J&M had the foresight to introduce a female line of shoes and accessories (more in subsequent posts). So it sounds like J&M is well equipped to carry on their tradition of shodding presidents in all shapes, sizes, and genders. 
2 Comments
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January 26, 2010 at 2:01 am, r5bales said:
Several years ago I bought a pair of J&M shoes on mega clearance to wear with pants. They were the best shoes ever. I lent them to someone and never got them back.
January 24, 2010 at 3:21 pm, Antoinette said:
What a fun post!