Shoes and Spies and Tell No Lies

The National Constitution Center has two special exhibits right now: Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon and Spies, Traitors, and Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America. Know what’s even better than two special exhibits for the price of one? Seeing them for $5 if you go on Thursdays between 5:00 and 8:00 PM, between now and September 1! Wooo!!

Ahem. So go, have a fabulous summer evening, and, of course, go in style. How about the buff and blue of George Washington’s Continental uniform?

  Perfect! The Bellahh by Steve Madden have man-made uppers and insoles, and ankle strap with shiny buckle, and a 5.5-inch heel and a 1.5-inch contrasting color platform. Find them at Zappos for $104.

You know that whole wooden teeth thing? Not so! Washington’s dentures were made of real teeth held together in lead. Lead shoes are hard to find, though, so let’s stick with wood:

  The Hugo XIII by Sole Boutique has a white faux leather upper and some serious timber—a 1.75 in platform to help you walk on the six-inch heel. (Six inches puts you up in Washington’s six-foot-three territory!) Find them on Karmaloop for $30.

There is, in fact, a pair of shoes in the Washington exhibit: booties of burgundy silk embroidered with gold thread with a dainty rhinestone buckle. (They’re copies of Martha’s, of course; not George’s!) How about an homage to Lady Washington? The A Girl’s Dream by Poetic License have a burgundy leather upper with fabric at the heel, a rhinestone feature at the peep toe, and a 3.25-inch stacked heel. Yours for just under $110 from Zappos.

The spies and sabotage exhibit opens with British troops burning Washington during the War of 1812 and Dolley Madison saving the portrait of George Washington from the White House. Okay, so Dolley wouldn’t have worn these, but they’re pretty evocative, aren’t they? The Glitter Flames Platform Pumps are gold glitter emblazoned with red rhinestones, with a 5.75 inch heel and a 1.75 inch hidden platform. You can find this hot little number at Amiclubwear for $135.

The exhibit continues through World War II, and attacks on American soil—German U-boats on the east coast and Japanese fire balloons on the west. Women of the time were wearing something like these:

  The Sunstone Mary Jane Pumps by Xhilaration are gray patent leather with little cutouts around the toe and a 2.75-inch stacked heel—adorable. Find them at your local Target (also in black or brown) for $20. 

Did you know Lucille Ball had an FBI file for being a suspected Commie? Ah, McCarthyism. Classic pink for our funny lady! The Rosette Pump by Audrey Brooke has a satin upper with rosette on the outside heel, a 4.5-inch heel with a half-inch hidden platform, and a padded insole. Also available in black, silver, or taupe from DSW; yours for $60.

Get thee to the National Constitution Center! Washington through September 5 and spies through September 11.