Heeled Shoes That Once Shaped Men’s Fashion

Heeled shoes were actually worn for very different purposes in the past, unlike today’s usage for women. a function that makes men’s life easier he had.

Let’s take a time travel from the day these high shoes appeared to this day and Why is it now more popular with women than men? let’s look at that.

Today’s heels originated from the French royalty, who actually created a trend in high heels.

Especially the King of France XIV. This idea, inspired by Louis, a law allowing only courtiers to wear high heels became. Thus, the 17th century high society, in a way, symbolized the distinctiveness of the privileged who were on the side of the king with high heels.

In addition, high heels were used for different purposes by both men and women until 2000 years ago. At that time, Turkish women wore wooden clogs with a simple leather band detail on the top. These clogs In a way, it was a precursor to high-heeled shoes.

The situation was no different in ancient Greece and Rome.

At that time, besides men, women also wore raised sandals called “kothorni” or “buskins”, and these shoes were still to distinguish social class was used. On the other hand, in Ancient Rome, where prostitution was legal, women aimed to distinguish themselves by wearing high heels.

When we look at Ancient Egypt, it is seen that the people of the lower class were mostly barefoot in their daily lives, but in the depictions that point to 3500 BC, it is encountered that the nobles wore high-heeled shoes. These high shoes It is preferred only on ceremonies and special occasions.

What if we told you that butchers in ancient Egypt also wore high heels?

For butchers, the purpose of this use was not for class indication or special occasions, but for a practical reason they created themselves. Egyptian butchers walking over the blood of slaughtered animals, she didn’t want this blood to touch her feet and resorted to such a method.

When we look at the Persian army of the 16th century, these shoes were used to serve a completely different purpose. When Persian soldiers stood up with their stirrups, they used the heel of their shoes to stay balanced, which His bow and arrow were very effective in pinpointing the target. In addition, even the cavalrymen sent to defeat the Ottoman Empire wore these high shoes.

In 17th century Europe, the use of high shoes was quite common.

For this reason, shoe manufacturers reworked these heels, which were not originally designed for everyday use, and tried to make them more casual. Exotic Persian style, getting closer and closer to Europe, wealthy aristocratic men also want to look more warlike and masculine. He preferred these shoes.

In the time the height of the heels was exaggerated, expensive red paints came to the fore and high heels have now become the pinnacle of men’s fashion. Meanwhile, towards the middle of the 17th century, women began to imitate men, eager to appear stronger and taller.

In fact, Catherine de Medici was the first woman known to wear heels, and indeed her sole purpose was to She wanted to show her 150 cm height taller at her wedding.

So why did men stop wearing high heels and this style became indispensable for women?

With the beginning of the Age of Enlightenment, society began to pursue the rational and He began to abandon the thoughts that symbolized privilege. Men left the show in the background and preferred to be more practical and functional instead.

Thus, a historical transformation took place in the 19th century that would affect the next centuries. The end of style that leads to class inequalities such as heels and colorful fabrics; black, classic and unpretentious clothes began to be preferred.

For women, this practical fashion transition did not come to the fore as much as it did for men, and high-heeled shoes remained indispensable for them. Because women with this look looks more aesthetic, makes her taller and prevents her skirts from getting dirty. passing.