I have long been wondering about the skin-tight footwear depicted in many 15th c. paintings. I'm not referring to footed hose, although they could certainly enter into this discussion. I'm referring to what looks like skin-tight boots that are sometimes as tall as the calf, and are depicted as being as snugly fitting as the hosen, and often depicted the same apparent color and texture.

Are these cloth? Leather? Any ideas as to the construction? Is there any other research or information available on this fashion, aside from the visual evidence presented in these paintings?

I am reluctant to attribute the depiction to an artist's convention, as many other clothing details seem faithfully rendered.

Many Thanks!

Good to see you here!

Can you give us an example of the shoes? I've been looking at the "low boots/tall shoes" in Rene's Book of the Tournament, and I think I know what you're referring to, but want to be sure.