Truman Capote’s Swans and Their Shoe Style: A Look Back at the Footwear Choices of 1960s New York City Socialites

In a pre-reality-show era, way before the invention of social media and the rise of the Kardashians, the New York City socialites were helping to shape the fashion landscape of the 1960s and 1970s. With their elegant outfits and classic footwear, the ladies who lunch would meet during the working week for social meetings, and as soon as paparazzi pictures of them hit the newspaper, their style would start to be emulated by others. 

A sneak peek of this era is now shown in “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.” 

The series, created by Ryan Murphy, Jaffe Cohen and Michael Zam for FX, tells the story of Truman Capote’s friendship with socialites of New York City, whom he would often refer to as his “Swans.” Babe Paley, Lee Radziwill, Slim Keith, Ann Woodward, C.Z. Guest, Gloria Guinness, Marella Agnelli and Pamela Harriman were all part of this group at some point in time. 

Costume designer Lou Eyrich was in charge of bringing the ‘60s and ‘70s fashion to show, dressing actresses Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloë Sevigny, Demi Moore and others to play the real-life characters. Their outfits and shoe choices represent a period in fashion that saw a continuation of the ladylike aesthetic (a popular style of the 1950s) while embracing modern silhouettes and shapes after the Mod era. 

In the footwear arena, short and stacked heel silhouettes were trending, such as kitten heels, Mary Janes and pointed flat shoes. The Chanel two-tone slingbacks were growing in popularity and the socialites were obsessed with Hélène Arpels’ classic pumps. 

Inspired by “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans,” FN takes a look back at the footwear choices of New York City socialites from the 50s, 60s and 70s. See photos below.