Our Story

How it all began...

Over 30 years ago, when our eldest daughter was born, I found myself searching for baby shoes that were soft, comfortable, easy to put on and, most importantly, actually stayed on little feet.

I couldn't find quite what I was looking for, so I decided to make them myself.

What began as a hobby in 1994 has grown into Wattle & Hide - a small Australian business built around creating beautiful, practical pieces for little ones.

Our original baby booties were designed with parents in mind. Little feet can be surprisingly wiggly, and getting shoes on a baby can sometimes feel like a challenge! Our design makes it simple - just open the back gently slide baby's foot in and secure it again. the result is a soft, comfortable bootie that is easy to put on and  designed to stay on.

Each pair is lovingly handmade using soft, genuine leather purchased in Australia. Our booties are soft-soled and mould gently to little feet, making them suitable from birth to approximately 18 months. We offer a variety of colours and styles, with custom options available whenever we can accommodate them.

After more than three decades of making, designing and creating, Wattle & Hide has continued to evolve. Most recently, this has led to the launch of Dear Daph, our handmade clothing label.

Dear Daph is inspired by vintage-style patchwork and the beauty of giving fabrics a new life. Our pieces are thoughtfully handmade, using mainly upcycled fabrics alongside carefully selected new materials.

From those little booties made for my daughters to the creations we make today, Wattle & Hide has always been about making things with love, care and a little bit of Australian charm.

Thank you for supporting our small handmade business and being part of our story.

Brenda - Wattle & Hide