We wouldn’t be wrong if we say that any women's footwear wardrobe simply wouldn't be complete without a pair of striking long heeled shoes. High heels have now almost become a necessity for every woman to lengthen her silhouette and amp up her style quotient.
And what if we told you that this killer looking footwear was not even made for women in the first place? In an era when heels are often associated with women style, this strange fact might come as a surprise!
The origin of high-heels can be traced back to centuries ago. Heels were originally designed as riding shoes, worn by men in the near east for centuries. The high heel was originally about function, not fashion in the earlier times.
And what if we told you that this killer looking footwear was not even made for women in the first place? In an era when heels are often associated with women style, this strange fact might come as a surprise!
The origin of high-heels can be traced back to centuries ago. Heels were originally designed as riding shoes, worn by men in the near east for centuries. The high heel was originally about function, not fashion in the earlier times.
Meanwhile in another part of the world, heels were worn to symbolize royalty & privilege. Men were the dominant wearers of the shoes that raised a person’s height to show their upper social status. Gradually, heels became fashionable for rich courtiers and kings in particular.
As time passed, women of the 1600s started wearing heels as a way of showing their equality. Heels started becoming more or less a unisex fashion statement. And by the end of the 17th century, heels started catering to both men’s footwear and women’s footwear requirements. While men’s heels became lower and more robust, women’s became more slender.
In the olden times, heeled shoes were mainly made out of wood in order to keep the heel thin for both men and women’s footwear. As time passed, the shoemakers started using steel for high heels, so that they could be thinner, pointed and still support a woman's body weight.
From then till now, the concept of heels has continued to evolve, from platforms to wedges to armadillo boots and beyond.
As time passed, women of the 1600s started wearing heels as a way of showing their equality. Heels started becoming more or less a unisex fashion statement. And by the end of the 17th century, heels started catering to both men’s footwear and women’s footwear requirements. While men’s heels became lower and more robust, women’s became more slender.
In the olden times, heeled shoes were mainly made out of wood in order to keep the heel thin for both men and women’s footwear. As time passed, the shoemakers started using steel for high heels, so that they could be thinner, pointed and still support a woman's body weight.
From then till now, the concept of heels has continued to evolve, from platforms to wedges to armadillo boots and beyond.