What Makes It Pappagallo? The Qualities of the Popular Vintage Pappagallo Shoes and Ballet Flats

Corso Como Ballet Flats Share Many Qualities of the Vintage Papps

Vintage Papps

During the 1960s and the early 1970s, Pappagallo brand shoes, especially loafers and ballet flats, surged in popularity. Throughout American high schools, colleges and universities, and workplaces, girls and women enjoyed the classic look and comfort of these Italian shoes.

Today, finding vintage Papps is a challenge. The lightweight leather loafers and ballet flats are most rare, probably due to the constant wear on the soft leather uppers, the supple sole, and the little heel.

Though many ballet flats are available today, finding the fit and comfort of a Pappagallo shoe remains elusive. Here are the qualities of the vintage Papps, along with an informal look at current ballet flats.

Qualities of Vintage Pappagallos

The vintage Papps were, most importantly, comfortable. They slipped easily on and off, yet didn't fall off when walking.

The vintage Papps were, very importantly, attractive to one's foot. It seemed everyone looked good in Papps. The clear, bright primary or pastel colors were designed to match the fashionable colors of the 60s and 70s.

The Papps were cut in a pretty streamline. The rounded toe sections were designed for just a slight toe cleavage. The soles were flat, except for the slight incline to the little heel. The heel section was as low as possible without the shoe falling off. And the heel casing was soft. A unique feature of the back of the shoe involved a strip of narrow leather from the top to bottom of the heel section. The leather would "give" just a bit near the heel,

In some way, the Pappagallo shoes were as soft as bedrooms slippers, but the sleek design left no doubt that a girl or woman who was wearing Papps was nicely dressed.

So, in this reviewer's mind, why do so many contemporary ballet flats fall short of the high Papp mark?

Some Problems with Un-Pappagallo Styled Ballet Flats

First, many ballet flats are cut too high in the toe area. Instead of the demure toe cleavage, many modern ballet flats are cut high on the foot. This gives a "Minnie Mouse" look to the shoe, the foot, and the wearer.

Second, many ballet flats have a curved, rather than streamlined look. The modern flats often have toes curved up, as if wearing a court jester shoe. The modern soles are also curved into an unflattering line, and very often the shoe is perched on top of a thick plastic sole that Frankenstein would have been proud to wear.

The modern cut often includes a heel casing that sits up too high on the back of the wearer's heel, again, providing yet another unnecessary curve that often results in discomfort, especially if the heel is following an unfortunate trend of being topped with elastic.

I'd been searching for a Papp-inspired ballet flat, and saw my neice wearing some attractive, almost-like-Papps shoes. I complimented her on the shoes and started to ask where she purchased them. Before I could, she explained that the elastic dug in and hurt the tops of her heels. So, that brand was crossed off my list.

Corso Como are Close to Pappagallo Qualities

There is a brand that is very close to Papps, even with a similar cotton lining. Corso Como ballet flats come in a variety of pretty colors, such as the burgandy/purple, along with pastels.
http://www.6pm.com/corso-como-famenka-nude-paris?si2684601=&channel=70&mr:referralID=fd56773e-91e0-11e4-8d82-001b2166becc

Corso Como reflects the modern efforts for environmental packaging and fair working conditions. Along with a reasonable price, these ballet flats have a similar cut and look to the popular Papps.

As for fit, many customers express satisfaction with the Corso Como. I gave a pair to my daughter, who has worn them and said they are very comfy. Alas, a small group of us can't find the best size, with the shoes either being just a little too small, or just a little too big.

If you are searching for a Papp-type shoe, then the Corso Como is the closest I've found to date. It's easy to order online, or check for local stores. Corso Como's return policy, or via Nordstrom, seems fair and as easy as possible, for exchanges or refunds.

Here's a link to our first article on Pappagallos. This is our most popular article.
http://themerryrosegeneralstore.blogspot.com/2013/01/pappagallo-shoes-comfortable-and-cute.html

Here's another Papps article on The Merry Rose
Read more about Pappagallo Shoes at the Merry Rose:

and "Almost Like Papps"
"Almost Like Papps"




Disclaimer: The information is an editorial of this reviewer's opinion.

UPDATE: Running about $100, these leather ballet flats seem to provide comfort and style.
The ballet flat from Frye is getting some nice reviews:
http://www.zappos.com/frye-carson-ballet-smoke-leather

Craven's Coffee of Spokane, Washington State, Interview with Simon Thompson, Wednesday, July 17, 2013

 

Here at the Merry Rose, we fuel our writing with espresso. Our favorite coffee blend is delightfully titled Earth and Sky. This is a shade-grown, fair-trade, certified organic coffee developed by the Craven’s Coffee company, located in Spokane, Washington. Earth and Sky is available in Spokane area grocery stores, such as Rosauer’s and Super One.
 

In the coffee aisle, the Craven’s section includes photos of Simon Thompson as he travels the world in search of great coffees supported by fair trade, sustainable growing, and great flavor. This type of dedication inspired the Merry Rose to request this interview. In between his many trips, Simon kindly answered some of our questions.
 

Simon, what drew you to the coffee business?
 

"I somewhat stumbled into it, as it seems most Roasters do. I was in the Hotel and Restaurant business and found myself, through a former co-worker, starting with Seattle's Best Coffee in 1991. I worked on Vashon Island managing the Roasting Facility, then moved to Wholesale Division. When the company was transitioned into another corporation, my wife Becky and myself decided to go out by ourselves and we moved here to Spokane to start Cravens."

 
 

You have traveled extensively worldwide, including countries like Rwanda which have experienced political turmoil and violence. What are some of the criteria you use to decide when the path is safe for coffee and you?

 

"The original 2005 trip to Rwanda was prompted by a geo-political interest in what had transpired there in 1994. I could not get my arms around how such an event (the genocide of 800,000 people in 90days) occurred...in 1994! When there was an initiative to look at establishing a Specialty Coffee industry, I became involved. Colombia is a risk, in the south, and Guatalama has issues. But the criteria is the quality of the coffee. Despite turmoil there are places where great coffee is grown (and some where it is not) so we seek the distinctive regions where the coffee is spectacular."

 

 

Regarding Earth and Sky, how did you develop this great blend? (I noticed at the grocery store in Cheney, WA, that there were two bins of Earth and Sky, both almost empty:) Why does shade grown make a difference? I always feel good buying it because it's organic and fair trade, as well as tasty.

 

"Earth and Sky was a blend developed for the former Cheney Cowles Museum (now the MAC) when they staged an exhibition of Native American art and culture, called "From Earth to Sky". The goal of the blend was rich, bold and organic. We achieved not only that objective but ended up with what has become our best-selling blend ever. The coffees are all Certified Organic and Fair Trade Certified, including Guatemala La Laguna, which as a farm has the most attention to detail I have ever had the pleasure to observe and experience.
 

Shade-grown makes a difference, primarily because the more direct to the original strains of the coffee plant grow better under shade (rather than de-forested full sun). Also the shade trees provide nitrogen through leaf litter which mulches and feeds the plants while retaining moisture around the roots. Shade grown coffee tends to be overall more flavorful coffee." 
 

 

Many Thanks to Simon for taking time to share his insights!
 

 

 

 

More about Earth and Sky from the Craven's website: 

 

“Earth and Sky - Certified Organic

Flavor Profile: Shade-grown, full-bodied, complex

Primary Origin: Organic Guatemala La Laguna

Roast: Dark / Italian

 

This richly flavored blend captures the essence of three organically shade-grown coffees. Dark roasted and full-bodied, these small-farm coffees are carefully cultivated under sustainable crop conditions.”
 

https://www.cravenscoffee.com/shop/?page_id=3&category=7&product_id=19

 

More from the Craven’s Coffee Store

https://www.cravenscoffee.com/shop/?page_id=3

 

 Fair Trade

 

“Fair Trade helps make organic growing methods possible. That's good for the farmers, good for developing economies, good for our planet, and tasty good at your favorite cafe.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

History Education Store for Educational Items

History Education Store for Educational Items

The History Education Store offers lots of items for gifts and schools. The store offers replica copies, often made in the USA such as copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, as well as copies of pirate codes and treasure maps.

Crossword books feature topics such as the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, Texas, and New York City.

Other items include:
Historical currency and coins, pictures, games, decorations, and kids' books.

Hardwood Cutting Board : The Chef's Medallion

Cutting boards serve useful functions, of protecting tables and cabinet tops, and giving a nice surface for knife blades and providing more counter space. The Catskill Craftsmen Chef's Medallion Hardwood Cutting Board includes easy care instructions, such as careful rinsing after cleaning in soapy water, and regular application of mineral oil to protect the wood. While much of their work is done in the USA, this particular cutting board is from Vietnam.

The company produces a complete line of cutting boards, in traditional and specialized shapes, including a guitar and the State of Texas.
http://catskillcraftsmen.com/Boards/boardsp3.html

Many of the cutting boards have rounded corners and border "trenches" to keep liquids from running onto counters and tables.

Other items include work benches, kitchen islands, cupboards, tables, and wooden kitchen tools. There is an additional section on ways to care and clean the products.
http://catskillcraftsmen.com/index.html

The company, located in the Catskill Mountains, makes efforts for a "green" business:
According to the company website:
"Lumber is purchased from area sawmills, then dried, manufactured, and packaged on site. All sawdust, shavings and waste materials generated during the manufacturing process is converted into wood pellet fuel, and used to heat homes. We are proud to say, "Our operations generate no wood waste."                       
http://catskillcraftsmen.com/about/about.html

Catskill Craftsmen
http://catskillcraftsmen.com/

Catskill Craftsmen Chef's Medallion Hardwood Cutting Board
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CATSKILL-CRAFTSMEN-CHEFS-MEDALLION-HARDWOOD-CUTTING-BOARD-NEW-/190833225200

On Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CATSKILL-CRAFTSMEN-CHEFS-MEDALLION-HARDWOOD-CUTTING-BOARD-NEW-/190833225200

Fairy Gardens at Gardenfairy , Fairy Dust , and Fairy Theme Items

Bachelor Button Fairy
http://www.gardenfairy.com/vintagegraphics/index.htm

At the Gardenfairy website, meander through the images of fairies and enjoy looking at the shop items.

Fairy Dust Bath Salts
These bath salts list ingredients including "ancient desert sea salts for aching limbs."
The fairy bath salts come in various colors and scents with essential oils.
Yellow Fairy Dust has honeysuckle, with peppermint, lemon, melissa, and ginger.
Indigo Fairy Dust includes myrrh, amber, and frankincense.
Red Fairy Dust blends sandalwood and three types of rose oil.
There's also Blue, Orange, Green (no link), and Violet.

Each packet is listed at the time of writing to be about $6.50.
Each packet is listed for specific conditions:
Red Fairy Dust is for romance.
Orange is for overworked folks.
Indigo is for sleeping.
http://www.gardenfairy.com/fairydust/index.htm

Children may enjoy the Gardenfairy coloring pages.
http://www.gardenfairy.com/coloringbook/coloring_10.htm

There are also links to free vintage postcard graphics.
http://www.gardenfairy.com/vintagegraphics/index.htm
Gardenfairy asks that the graphics are copied, not linked to the website.

Pappagallo Shoes : Comfortable and Cute

Pappagallo Shoes : Comfortable and Cute : Papps

The Vintage Village 
http://thevintagevillage.com/

Women from the 1960s and 1970s will remember Pappagallo shoes. These trendy ballerina flats, loafers, and tiny heels came in a variety of colors, often purchased to match an outfit.

The shoes were comfortable and good-looking. The ballet flats were especially popular in the mid-to-late 1960's. The shoes came in a variety of colors, especially in pastel green, yellow, blue, and pink.

Yet, today, Pappagallos are scarce, often found only in second-hand thrift stores.

Visit this website The Happy Homemaker, for a thread about people looking for Pappagallo shoes. http://happyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2005/06/im-bit-behind.html
According to the Happy Homemaker, "Most Pappagallo shoes were made of Italian kidskin, which allowed for the brilliant colors and the shiny appearance." And today, even though a shoe may look like a Papp, modern shoes just don't have the same "last" or mold, or pattern, and therefore don't have the comfortable Papp fit.

If any shoemaker can create a line of shoes like Pappagallo, there may be plenty of customers. "Papps" were made of soft yet durable leather, and cut in comfortable yet stylish designs.

One poster writes that his girlfriends each owned about 25 pairs of Papps, and his father sold them in his store: "The fun part was that girls almost always bought a new pair of the tasseled flats to match the new clothes they bought. The look was classic and the girls looked MUCH better than they do today..."

A husband wrote in on the occasion of his 40th wedding anniversary, to write about the first time he saw his future wife, in a college classroom in September: "I noticed how well dressed she was … wearing a Villager outfit and black leather Pappagallo shoes…I had no idea before then that Villager or Pappagallo existed, having grown up in a family of four brothers and no sisters. But I did appreciate how well she looked in her blouse, skirt and shoes."

Papps were often sold in the same store with clothing and accessories from Villager, John Meyer of Norwich, and Lady Bug.

In this day of shoes that hurt our feet, or make us look like we're wearing Munchkin or Frankenstein boots, the lovely light Papps would be a sight for sore eyes, and a good feeling for sore feet.

Read more about Pappagallo Shoes at the Merry Rose:
http://themerryrosegeneralstore.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-makes-it-pappagallo-qualities-of.html
and "Almost Like Papps"
"Almost Like Papps"

References:

The Happy Homemaker, Thread about people looking for Pappagallo shoes. Friday, June 03, 2005
http://happyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2005/06/im-bit-behind.html
The Vintage Village Green Papps
http://thevintagevillage.com/
Also See:
About Pappagallo Shoes. By Justin Graves. The Writers Network. Posted on Beauty and Style. June 07, 2011http://www.beautyandstyle.com/accessories/womens-shoes/trends/about-pappagallo-shoes
"Very few people in the fashion industry are unaware of Pappagallo shoes and its storied history. Women's shoes sold under the brand name Pappagallo were in fashion and very much in demand 40 years ago."

For a Ralph Lauren ballet flat that looks similar to the vintage Pappagallos, try this link:
Ralph Lauren http://www.ralphlauren.com/family/index.jsp?flats=&categoryId=46098046&cp=51960806.51960826.46098196&view=all&omniselect=View_All99
The difference is that the Lauren flat has an extremely pointed toe and a single seam on the back of the heel, rather than the Pappagallo extra piece of material seam.

There's also the Corso Como 'Famenka' Flat.
These have a similar appearance to the Papps, even with the striped lining.
The reviews are generally favorable, with some concern about getting a good fit through online ordering. Someone also mentioned that the shoe itself is very comfortable, but the piping around the edge can be uncomfortable. This reviewer contacted the company, which seems open to listening to customers.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens-ballet-flats

Nordstroms is listing a round toe flat for women. The shoe toe shows "cleavage." The reviews range from saying the shoe is comfortable and stylish, to some complaints about the back of the heel being too high, which is a problem with many ballet flats on the market today.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/halogen-gala-round-toe-flat-women/3713928?origin=related-3713928-0-4-PP_OOS-Rich_Relevance_Recs_API-&recs_type=related&recs_productId=3713928&recs_categoryId=0&recs_productOrder=4&recs_placementId=PP_OOS&recs_source=Rich_Relevance_Recs_API&recs_strategy=


The Topshop "Milano" Ballerina also has a similar cut and lines to Papps.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/topshop-milano-ballerina/3479438?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Cream&resultback=8470

Note: This article was originally written and published on this website The Merry Rose General Store on Thursday, November 1, 2012. On January 27, 2013, the article was updated, deleted, and then republished on The Merry Rose General Store.