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The origin of high heels goes back to centuries in history. Around 3500 B.C the ancient Egyptians wore shoes of leather pieces tied with lace. With time it depicts men and women of upper class family wore high heels for ceremonial purpose and shoes were made of high heel and cork soles. |
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In 1430 chopines were introduced and came in trend due to the small stature of the people. The invention of heels was by Catherine d'medici who were heels to exaggerate here height during here wedding. In 1580 heels became popular between both sex as a symbol for higher society. |
In the 1700s France King Louis often wore intricate heel decorated with miniature battle scenes thus they were called as Louis heels and had 5 inch height. Women followed the trend.
In 1791 Louis heel disappeared from fashion and napoleon banned heel to show equality. Still Marie Antoinette executed wearing the two - inch heels. Gradually heels lowered greatly and reduced to wedge or spring heel. They were worn with ribbons or tied across the ankle.
In 1900 women again started wearing moderate high heels with decorated bow and buckles with almond shapes. There heel was known as "well heel". During this period women's legs were not much shown so they did not give much attention to shoes.
By 19th century high heels were introduced in USA, imported from Paris and they attained huge success because of the clientele, who preferred to hire the services of prostitutes who wore these heels.
By 1860 heels were back to fashion and the invention of sewing machine allowed greater variety of heels. Wearers were comfortable with even 5 - 6 inch heels as mostly they wore corsets heels clubbed with heels as a fashion symbol and heels helped alleviate back ache and stooping. But critics sited that heels created more sexually aggressive gait and compared it to a "poisoned hoot" to catch an unwary male. Even with critics Americans opened its 1st heel factory in 1888.
In 1904 the ladies "pump" shoe, a British invention, reached Americans and stores started flooding with it. By 1920s shoe with a single T-strap started fastening across .Variations in shoes started picking up, "informal shoe with round toe and lower heels in Cuban, flat or square shape. Fastened with lace or strap. By 1940 shoes stared coming up with variety of colours and decorative ways. Glittery heels was the trend.1947 shoes were more delicate , plain high heel court shoes in leather and suede become the predominant shoes style. The shoes were cut in V shape, open toes shoes, high heels, platform soles and ankle strap were the variations.
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By 1955 tall stilettos heels for women invented in Italy became the fashion rage. But were banned as they spoiled the floor. 1960s buckle shoes and boots were again back in trend for men and women. Thicker heel, pointed or square shape was given to them. |
With creation of mini shirt, stilettos were attached to boots to enhance the bare legs. As the feminist momentum came in stilettos were out of fashion for women, to save them self against men violence women lowered the heel size.
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1980 & 1990: the idea of wearing high heels started offering pleasure to women critics, particularly feminist argued a lot. Perhaps the western culture women claimed that they wore high heels for themselves and it gave them height, authority and pleasure. The trends changed. Where lower heels were preferred in 60 & 70s.high heels were in trend in 80s & 90s onwards. |
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In 2000s for a woman to have well shaped legs has become more like an asset to wear heels. What is certain is that heels has not disappeared, noted for its unique class and crunch, a nationwide gym aloes offers a 45 min class wearing stilettos to strength their legs and calves. Some women even undergo treatments to inject padding in their feet to allow there stilettos to fit more comfortably. While these may be oddities of fashion, they gesture towards an exciting era of fashion today. |