. . . "In the early years of the 19th century boots gradually became acceptable for women. By 1804, half-boots with front lacing and ribbon trimmings, like this pair, had started to appear in fashion illustrations for 'walking' or 'morning' dress. Hardwearing cottons \u2013 the striped uppers are made of cotton jean \u2013 became increasingly available and were used as alternatives to leather. Heroines in novels by Jane Austen (1775-1817) are often described wearing footwear of this kind."@en .