It’s the 16th Century in France. When men would place their shoes in the stirrup on their horses, the shoes would frequently slip out of the stirrup. The solution was to place a heel on the man’s shoe to secure the shoe in the stirrup.
When men got off their horses and walked on the streets, the heel would provide some protection against the animal and human waste that covered many streets.
The size of the heels was modest until they became a fashion item. King Louis XIV was short in stature. He added extra height to his appearance by increasing the length of the heels on his shoes.
As the size of heels increased on men’s shoes, women’s shoes were without heels. The dresses were so long that shoes were covered. Thus, there was no need to adorn their clothing with any special type of shoe.
It wasn’t until the 18th Century that women began to wear shoes with heels. While women’s heels increased in size, men’s shoes with heels disappeared.
The term high heels became associated with women’s apparel. High heels gained in popularity as technology for making shoes improved. In the 20th Century, high heels took on a more sensual appeal. During World War II, pin-up girls were shown wearing them. That led to an ever-increasing height. The stiletto heel was developed in 1950.
While high heels have become the standard in many workplaces, research has now revealed the health impact of heels that are greater than approximately one inch. These impacts include health effects on body balance, posture, and vein swelling. In some countries, legislation limits heel size. In the U.S., high heels have become a part of our debate about feminism and several stereotypes.
What began as a way for men to keep from falling off of their horses has transitioned into something that never could have been imagined. That’s the way with many beginnings.
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“High heels were invented by a woman who had been kissed on the forehead.”-Christopher Morley (journalist)