[Museum](https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O486290/shoe-unknown/). This striking pair of Manchu shoes would have elevated their female wearer. The thick, boat-shaped soles are made from layers of felted paper, whitened around the edges, with stitched leather bottoms. Manchu women of lower ranks used such shoes for outdoor wear. The paper sole is rigid, but upturned towards the toe to give a spring to the step. Being made from paper, the shoes were much lighter than wood, but just as sturdy.
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[Museum](https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O486290/shoe-unknown/). This striking pair of Manchu shoes would have elevated their female wearer. The thick, boat-shaped soles are made from layers of felted paper, whitened around the edges, with stitched leather bottoms. Manchu women of lower ranks used such shoes for outdoor wear. The paper sole is rigid, but upturned towards the toe to give a spring to the step. Being made from paper, the shoes were much lighter than wood, but just as sturdy.