When thousands of young people flocked to the Catskills Mountains to hear folk and rock music at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969, the moment shifted culture. And besides the alternative entertainment they brought with there was also fashion — and shoes. The group’s unusual and offbeat fashion sensibility hinted at the individuality fashion would soon have to get used to. By the opening of the 1970s festival footwear fashion wouldn’t be complete without the variety of boots, sandals and shoes, mixed with bold statements and laid-back summer staples.
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Classic clogs, including Dr. Scholl’s wooden clogs, became a signature of the era and the vibe that defined festival culture. These nostalgic shoe styles continue to inspire modern festival looks, blending retro flair with contemporary trends.
In the decade, sky-high platform shoes captured the decade’s love for glam, while worn-in Keds sneakers — celebrating 110 years in 2026 — Birkenstocks (introduced to the U.S. 60 years ago), Earth shoes and huaraches offered comfort and made the effortless cool of the outdoors a fashion statement.
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With festival season kicking off with Coachella this weekend, here is a look back at a few of those iconic shoe styles from the Fairchild Archive and Footwear News that helped define festival fashion.