The Pre-Order Basics

We're a little company with big ideas but small pockets. We believe in listening to the costuming community and delivering beautiful historic shoes in styles that are currently difficult or impossible to buy at an affordable price. The pre-order system allows us to kickstart new styles that we wouldn't otherwise be able to bring to the market.

We believe that the best possible product comes from listening to the community, so as part of each historical shoe style's development we include a consultation process that you can become part of on our Facebook page and our blog. Once you've guided us in deciding what to make, we'll then open up a pre-order for the historic shoe style.

Manufacturing a new shoe style and getting it into stock is expensive! We have to develop new historically accurate shoe lasts and heel molds, and contend with high materials costs due to the small runs, shipping, and import costs/taxes. So in return for your support in helping to fund the shoe's production we give you a substantial discount, guarantee that you'll be first to receive the new shoes, and our deep and everlasting appreciation in bringing so much historically-inspired-shoe-goodness to the world!
 

Big Discounts Over Our Retail Price

Pre-orders on new shoe styles will always receive a discount during the initial two week launch. The discount is usually about $20 off the in-stock price, although this may vary from style to style. The pre-order system allows us to kickstart new styles, and your support is very much appreciated!

Once the initial two-week launch has passed, the price then goes back to the regular amount, and quantities are set so that our factories can begin making the shoes. At that point, quantities are limited and can begin selling out, even while the shoe is still on pre-order.
 

Guarantee Your Pair(s)

Historical Footwear is always limited to a small run of only a few hundred pairs. Those that pre-order during the initial two week discount period are guaranteed their shoes in any size or quantity^* , but if you wait until after the initial two-week discount period, we may not have your size in stock for long. Wait at your peril!

Some styles may sell out of less popular sizes in a matter of days after the two week discount period ends, and while we do everything we can to make sure that there's shoes for everyone, we can't always predict demand. There is no guarantee that a style of historical footwear will ever be manufactured again, but if we do run a style again we will more than likely run a "re-pre-order".

^* In the unlikely event that demand gets a little too crazy for our little company, we may need to cap the number of available products, just so that our factory can maintain the high quality and attention to detail that we all expect. Typically, we will run a second pre-order shortly afterwards the first pre-order closes (with a later delivery date).
 

Pre-orders Are Open For A Limited Time Only

Pre-ordering discount periods are open for a short time only – usually two weeks. Following the close of this period, the shoes will be manufactured and shipped. This will take several weeks from the time you order – if you have ordered at the beginning of the pre-sale period, you may wait up to 14 weeks for your shoes to arrive at your door. The expected delivery date is always posted on the shoe's product page and we will keep you updated on progress during the manufacturing process, once we know the exact date that they will arrive at our warehouse, and when they're due to ship.

Please note that we ship all items in an order together, so if you add in-stock items to your pre-order, they will ship at the same time. If you want your in-stock items sooner, please place a separate order for them.
 

Minimum Order Threshold

The manufacture of a new style of historical footwear is dependent on receiving enough pre-orders for that style so that a manufacturing run can take place. If we do not meet the minimum, the shoes cannot be made in an economical manner, and everyone who has ordered will be refunded 100% of their money. If you've just GOT to have a pair of historic shoes from us, make sure you pre-order and tell all your friends!

The number of shoes needed to kickstart the production run will vary from style to style.
 

Status of Current Pre-Orders

Please see our pre-order updates page for more information about our manufacturing and delivery schedules.