The History of High Heels

Shoes. Everyone needs shoes. Women love shoes. Infrom becoming soiled on the filthy European streets,
fact, most women have many pairs of shoes. Shoescertainly not a very glamorous origin for such sexy
of every style, color, and purpose, grace the bottomfootwear, but the 1300s are not necessarily the true
of many closets. Oftentimes, when women buy asource of modern platform shoes. Platform and
new outfit, new shoes are selected to accessorize.high-heel shoes definitely have a sensual connotation.
Some women are actually obsessive regardingMen are attracted to shapely legs, delicate ankles,
footwear and literally own hundreds of pairs. Chancesand femininity of sexy shoes. Coupled with scantily
are, whether ladies own 10 pairs or 200, high heelsclad beauties, high heels and sexy shoes attract male
and sexy shoes the most important feature ofcustomers, and a nightclub instantly becomes a
every collection; and although the more feminine andbooming business. Understandably, sexy shoes can
allure styles seems a likely creation for modernentice a male patron to a flashy nightclub, but how
women, almost 500 years of history tells the storiescan high heels and sexy shoes be instruments of
of prominence, profession, punishment, and passion.punishment? Easy. In the 1300's, platform shoes are
When the shoes first became a fashion craze, highintroduced as a practical solution to the punishing
heels are a symbol of prominence and aristocracy. Asstreets of Europe. To avoid the carnage, the shoes
with all fashions, a fad usually begins with one person.allowed the wearer to simply walk above the filth. In
High heels are no exception. In 1533, when Catherinethe 1500's Venetian women endure punishment in the
d'Medici marries the Duke of New Orleans, she hasname of fashion. Chopines are popular, yet total
shoes specifically designed to increase her stature.impractical and even dangerous. With heels as high as
Naturally, high heels quickly become a royal2 feet, woman need servants to help them safely
rage-literally. Everybody, who is anybody, wants adisembark from a gondola-a major source of travel.
pair of heeled shoes-men included. Unfortunately, theEqually ridiculous are the canes necessary to walk in
poor are easily recognizable, because only the richChopine heels. Without the walking aids, women are
can afford to have shoes specially made and shippedin danger of toppling from the perch of their
from France. Later, in 1660, Louis XIV has specialfashionable shoes. Fortunately, the scary and silly
ornate five-inch heels designed for his personal use.shoes died the death of common sense. However,
Once again, one prominent person introduces aChopines are not the only dangerous high heels and
future fashion phenomenon. "Louis" heels are soonsexy shoes. Stilettos are possibly dangerous and an
popular with wealthy women. The fantastic footwearimprovised weapon. The stiletto, created in the
is a showpiece of prominence. Practicality is not a1950s, is still the perfect choice for many exotic
consideration, but the individually handcrafted artistrydancers. Stilettos have a pencil width heel, usually
is a must have for the Rich. Although associatedfour to five inches in height. 'Stiletto' is actually a Latin
mainly with the rich and famous, high heels and sexyword which means 'small dagger' and therefore these
shoes are also a necessary accessory to somehigh heel shoes are often associated with danger and
professions. For example, in the 1500's, heels arefear. Stilettos are the ultimately sexy heeled shoes.
introduced to help horse riders keep feet in theAll teasing aside, the main reason women chose to
stirrups. Equestrians know, without shoes to firmlywear high heels and sexy shoes is the passion. At
grip the stirrups, a rider is more likely to loose his/herone time, good girls did not possess any shoe
footing and subsequent be thrown from the horse.capable of tempting a man. Today, women fully
Today's cowboys still wear heeled boots as anunderstand the alluring effect of longer, shapelier legs.
important accessory to the profession. Likewise,Thus, the proper shoes will give the allusion of height
sexy shoes are important accessories for manyfor petite women. Understandably, men are attracted
occupations. With the increasing popularity ofto well-dressed ladies. High heels and sexy shoes are
nightclubs in the 1970's, platform and high-heeledpart of the page. Nevertheless, even if a male is
shoes are required for the lady pole dancers, stripnowhere to be found, women simply like to feel
tease artists, and cocktail waitresses. Platform shoesbeautiful in high heels and sexy shoes. Feminine and
boost female height even further than regular heeleddressy, the shoes make/or break classy attire. So,
shoes and increase the appearance of leg length.when surfing for the perfect pair of high heels or
Perhaps because platform shoes are not generallysexy shoes, consider the history and background of
worn as part of mainstream fashion, they draw eventhe must have footwear for every woman. Once
more of a man's attention to those erogenous feet.exclusive for the wealthy, often bizarre, always
It is uncertain when and where platform shoesdesired, high heels and sexy shoes are here to stay.
originated, but during the last millennium the 1300s areWhether the shoes are a status symbol, an
regarded as the source of platform shoes we knowaccessory for work, an obscure weapon, or a
today. During the 14th century the wealthier classesprecursor to passion, high heels and sexy shoes
took to wearing platforms to prevent their shoesbelong in every lady's closet.