Heels are an essential element in any woman’s wardrobe, but not all want them, since it takes more than taste to dominate them and wear them with all the character and attitude that they require.. There are different heights, materials, models, brands, designers, etc.; In addition, many say that you can never have too many: they are the heels and today you will know their history and how they appeared in the world of fashion and stayed forever.
If you go to the origin of the word shoe according to the portal definition.de, it indicates that this: “It is a term that comes from zabata, a word of the Turkish language. A shoe is a piece of footwear that protects the foot, providing comfort to the person when carrying out different actions (walk, run, jump, etc.)”.
While heel, according to the dictionary is: “Outer part of the shoe that consists of a semicircular piece of variable height and thickness that is attached to the sole at the heel to raise it more or less from the ground”.
According to historical indications, the first high-heeled shoes appeared with the Egyptian civilization, as there are illustrations that prove it. Also, by the time of Ancient Greece theater actors used a kind of heels called «kothorni», they had a height of 8 to 10 centimeters and were made of cork. The height of this had a meaning: social status. The higher he was, the more powerful he was over the rest of the actors. However, they were not conceived as a garment for frequent use.
From there it goes to the Middle Ages, when the heel reappears, remaining as a symbol of social status, which was used to access places of the upper class and wealthy. It is said that some women came to wear heels up to 50 centimeters high, go crazy. The design was conceived as padded sandals that raised the foot and were made of wood, they were called Chapines.
For its part, 25 centuries ago there were also shoes that were considered torture. Such is the case of the Ancient China that tried to impose on women the reduction of their feet to achieve «the lotus flower» that was an ideal of elegance and sensuality, was actually crazy.
It is also said that they were used for handling cavalry, because it was easier when a little platform was used on the feet. even from sketches made by the great painter Leonardo Da Vinci there is evidence of high-heeled shoes related to horse riding.
In this age, both men and women could wear heels. Near to 17th century, this type of footwear became popular thanks to the wedding that took place between Henry II of France and Catherine de Médici, in which she wore high-heeled shoes. Later, in 1660, another emblematic figure in history who used them was the french king louis xiv; the shoemaker named Nicolas Lestage was able to make some high-heeled shoes for it. In the same way, he made a variant for women that was worn by Madame de Pompadour, a French courtesan, who took over his style under the name of “Pompadour heels”.
Now then, after the intellectual movement of the Enlightenment, around the 18th century, men stopped using them and they became exclusive footwear for women. The design was much more delicate and curved. Whereas, men’s footwear became flatter. The heel continued to be considered elegant but was no longer associated with social status. Although 50 years later women would also stop using it due to the French Revolution.
Over time, heels also began to be recognized and called «stilettos» In fact, this term is still used today in many languages, this was due to a Italian merchant and designer Giacomo Pirandelli baron of Styletto, who by 1760, designed and produced a shoe with a shank or stiletto heel that was necessary for the equestrian activities of horsemen and for the support of spurs.
The fashion for high-heeled shoes grew and gained strength at cabaret dances, brothels and society parties. In fact, when they reappeared in the 19th century, they were associated with pornography, as women were shown naked wearing only high heels..
Starting from the 20th century, each of the decades was marked by a type of high-heeled shoe, according to the fashion and style of each era. The heel began being small and square, it grew and created different types of heels.
For example: cone heelsthese had an inverted cone shape and had a greater inclination in the back and had some straps that held the instep. The D’orsay heels, was a model that covered the front part of the foot but let the toes be seen, leaving the instep visible and the circular heel. Another model with a similar model was the «Kitten» heel this was a pointed shoe with a thin heel but small in stature.
The bobbin heeltoday it belongs to a retro style, that is, from the 70s, they had a wide heel both at the top and at the bottom and in the middle it was reduced. Mary Jane heelsthese were high-heeled and closed, with a strap that was fastened on the instep.
peep toe heelswas part of a round toe design, revealing the inner arch of the foot. T-strap heels, were characterized by having a front strip in the form of a «T» when joined to another that serves as an anklet, they are widely used in work attire. In this same line the “ankle straps” They were sandals whose strap took the ankle and the next strap is at the height of the toes.
The pumps were a closed heel, low-cut and cut on the sides with a fairly high height. Similarly, the platform pumps, these are at least 10 centimeters high and allow you to look beautiful without getting so tired. The aforementioned stilettos also known as spike heelthese consisted of pointed shoes with a very fine and high heel.
Similarly, over time variations of existing models have been created, in order to provide greater comfort, one of them is Swedish, these are very thick heels and easy to use for some, since they do not have snaps or are attached to the ankle. They must fit just right, otherwise the foot can come out when walking.
Likewise, with a more modern style, they are the platforms. These are comfortable and versatile, as they help balance the weight; they can be used in different sizes and without losing stability. Another model that follows this type of design, are the wedges or also known as Wedges, they use a continuous platform that stylizes the ankle, since the foot adheres very well, striking a good balance between height and stability.
Finally, no matter how high, low, wide, thin, open, closed… There is no doubt that there is a wide variety of heels. Regardless of the fact that each season the trend of one over another is established, the truth is that high-heeled shoes are timeless, they are also faithful allies for the style, fashion and figure of any woman. What is your favourite?