The History of High Heeled shoes and Why men stopped wearing them (link to article here)

For a lover of history and a fan of fashion, this article was fascinating. It touches on a lot of different subjects, explaining how high heels were originally designed as horse riding aids, then became a trend when Europe was infatuated with everything Persian.

There was a quote I liked that claims “One of the best ways that status can be conveyed is through impracticality.” This is apparently how high heels became so wide spread and desirable. The more impractical something is, the posher you look. If you wear something outrageous it just shows that you never have to work in it… or in this case, walk much. I think this statement is true even today. Take a look at our “status” shoes and clothes.

The article continues to explain how heels were the ultimate sign of MANLINESS, and how they only became popular with women during a sort of counter culture fashion trend of women wanting to emulate men.

This whole topic of gender and shoes absolutely fascinated me.

A true MUST read article