Shoe

Evidence for shoemaking is common in Roman London. As processing leather was incredibly smelly, workshops were in the industrial area away from the centre. Shoemaking and repairing took place in workshops that fronted the main streets.

Shoes came in a variety of styles, dependant on fashion. One-piece, moccasin-style shoes and hobnailed boots were normal for outdoor and winter wear. Flip-flop style sandals were worn in better weather and around the home. Some boots were the strap-style caliga (military boot) or, as this example shows from AD70 onwards, had intricate cut-out designs that would have shown off the wearer’s coloured stockings.