Until 1850, there wasn't even a difference between left shoes and right shoes!Īs technology continued to develop in the first few decades of the 20th century, the shoemaking process became simpler, which allowed shoemakers to experiment more with the design of women's shoes. It wasn't until the 15th century that shoemakers began to experiment with softer fabrics, such as silk, and it wasn't until the 19th century that women's and men's shoes began to differ (particularly in heel and toe shapes). So, for example, commoners would wear shoes made from leather, whereas aristocrats would wear similar designs, only made from wood.Īt this time, there was no real difference between women's shoes and men's shoes. The materials used reflected the wearer’s social class (as they had done for centuries). Shoemaking really developed into an art-form, however, in Europe during the early Baroque period. The earliest shoes are thought to have been made from wraparound leather, around 40,000 years ago! Therefore, really, the history of women’s shoes dates back to then! As they have evolved, of course, so have the materials and techniques that go into making them. Whilst it began life as a purely practical invention, the humble shoe has, over hundreds of years, evolved into a status symbol and a booming industry, and is often as much about art as functionality. Over the next 50 years, the heel wavered in popularity, but one thing is certain: stilettos will always hold a place in the hearts (and souls) of fashion-conscious women. This style of heel was invented by Roger Vivier and given a name that means, appropriately, “thin dagger” in Italian. Stiletto heels, now hugely popular, weren’t actually seen until 1954. These were still quite impractical, however. Advanced sewing technologies allowed for a more gentle, comfortable heel with a focus on the curved instep to show “femininity and refinement”. In the Victorian era, the modern heel really began to take shape. He even created a trademark red heel that he demanded all male members of his court to adopt. Up until the 19th century, however, heels were still largely worn only by aristocratic men such as Louis XIV of France, who (it is said) wore heels often to make up for his diminutive size. It wasn't until 1533 that the idea of a low sole with a high heel was seen as 'ladylike' thanks to the royal wedding of Catherine de Medici, who married the Duke of Orleans whilst wearing 'riding heels'. There, the high heel was actually outlawed for a time, as it was the shoe favoured by prostitutes! Around this time (the mid-16th to 17th century), the high heel was also ridiculed by members of high society, religious commentators, and even the great William Shakespeare. Platforms slowly developed into a cultural and decorative symbol that spread across Europe, until it reached England and France.
These were first worn in Venice in the 1400s and were designed with dramatic platforms (often as high as 24 inches) in order to keep the 'real' shoes (which were, at the time, generally made from easily stained material such as satin) out of the mud that used to clog the streets. It wasn't until the 15th century that the notion of a high heel being 'feminine' began to take shape, with the first shoes of note being the hideous “Chopines”. We’re not entirely sure of the purpose, but we can assume that the higher heels were supposed to lift the wearer closer to the gods. There are also traces found in ancient Egypt, where high-heeled shoes found by historians have been linked to religious ceremonies of the time. Social class comedy was around even then! High heels began back in ancient Greece, where actors wore platform shoes (at the time elevated with wood or cork) to represent social class, with the characters of a higher social standing wearing higher heels. For example, high heels were not originally intended to be worn by women at all! Have long been seen as a typically modern invention, however, the history of high heels is longer than you would think, with a fair few surprises.
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