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Ever wondered how the high heeled shoe came to be? Let’s take a look back ancient Egypt during the year 3500 B.C. Most of the lower class ancient Egyptians wore flat footwear, but according to figures on murals, both upper class males and females wore heeled shoes. In ancient Greece and Rome, high heeled cork or wood shoes were worn by actors trying to depict characters of varying heights. Moreover, prostitutes in ancient Rome were identified by their high heeled shoes. High heels were worn in Persia during the 9th century by horseback riders to help keep their foot in the stirrups.
High heels became a symbol of status during the 15th century in Europe when women would wear platform shoes called chopines. These women would employ servants to help them walk around in the towering shoes. Some historians believe that men encouraged women to wear these ridiculously tall shoes so they would not be able to escape! Either way the height represented wealth, power and class. Those in the noble class (both women and men) would wear high heels as a fashion statement but also to suggest high social standing. Marie Antoinette famously owned an entire room of high heels constructed to her specifications.
When Napolean came to power in the 18th century, he banned high heels, wanting everyone to seem equal. The French Revolution saw high heels take a brief hiatus, but they became popular again in the 19th century. The invention of the sewing machine allowed traditional cobblers to express more creativity in their designs. During the 1920s, hemlines shortened and heel sizes grew and high heels had officially made their comeback. During the depression in the 1930s, heels became slightly more moderate in height and wider in heel size.
The 1950s and 1960s saw a revival of very high heels when Christian Dior invented the ‘stiletto’ meaning ‘small dagger’ in Italian. High heeled knee-high and ankle boots were invented in the 1970s to compensate for the short minidresses that became popular. Pointed toe heels popularized in the 1980s and still are a popular style today. Manolo Blahniks were favourites in the 1990s and still remain one of the most popular brands in 2012.
Women in 2012 have more heel choices than ever before. High heels have even influenced popular television shows like Sex in the City and Hollywood blockbusters like The Devil Wears Prada. Clearly, the high heel has been a staple in wardrobes for a very long time.
High heels became a symbol of status during the 15th century in Europe when women would wear platform shoes called chopines. These women would employ servants to help them walk around in the towering shoes. Some historians believe that men encouraged women to wear these ridiculously tall shoes so they would not be able to escape! Either way the height represented wealth, power and class. Those in the noble class (both women and men) would wear high heels as a fashion statement but also to suggest high social standing. Marie Antoinette famously owned an entire room of high heels constructed to her specifications.
When Napolean came to power in the 18th century, he banned high heels, wanting everyone to seem equal. The French Revolution saw high heels take a brief hiatus, but they became popular again in the 19th century. The invention of the sewing machine allowed traditional cobblers to express more creativity in their designs. During the 1920s, hemlines shortened and heel sizes grew and high heels had officially made their comeback. During the depression in the 1930s, heels became slightly more moderate in height and wider in heel size.
The 1950s and 1960s saw a revival of very high heels when Christian Dior invented the ‘stiletto’ meaning ‘small dagger’ in Italian. High heeled knee-high and ankle boots were invented in the 1970s to compensate for the short minidresses that became popular. Pointed toe heels popularized in the 1980s and still are a popular style today. Manolo Blahniks were favourites in the 1990s and still remain one of the most popular brands in 2012.
Women in 2012 have more heel choices than ever before. High heels have even influenced popular television shows like Sex in the City and Hollywood blockbusters like The Devil Wears Prada. Clearly, the high heel has been a staple in wardrobes for a very long time.
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