Leather Stiletto

Fashion Trend: From Barefooted to Stilettos
Can you imagine just how dull the fashion industry would be if shoes weren't a part of it? I can't! Shoes have been and will always be a very important part of a person's attire. But just how did we go from barefooted to stilettos? The answer can be summed up in the three S's: Safety, Status and Style.
Safety
It didn't take long before our primitive ancestors realized that their feet needed protection from the rough terrain, hot sand and sharp rocks. Sandals were many times made out of plaited hemp, papyrus sole, animal hide and held together with leather straps for safety. In colder regions, the climate gave way to an even more protective foot gear. Pieces of un-tanned hide were wrapped around the feet and held together by leather thongs to keep them warm. This formed the structure of our basic shoe.
Status
Who was it that said, "The more civilized the human race gets, the ‘dumber' it appears to be"? Oh yeah, that was me! Humans started veering away from the original function of the shoe which was to protect the feet. Shoes became more of a means of showing status-a very painful means!
For some cultures a higher shoe represented a higher rank. Lesser and lesser importance was placed on protection. Little, if any at all, was placed on comfort and fitting. As a matter of fact, in the 1850s only two "sizes" existed: the "slim shoe" and the "fat shoe". There was absolutely no difference between the right shoe and the left shoe. Both could be worn on either foot. Let every say "ouch". One, two, three, "Ouuuccchhh". One could only imagine how difficult it was to break in a new shoe.
The shoe became more of a means of showing workmanship and extravagance. This became such an issue that laws at times were passed banning the wearing of certain types. One such law prevented pointed shoes from being more than 2 inches long. Apparently, pointed shoes originated in France due to a Count who wanted to mask his deformed hooves. Pointed heels then became the vogue, since Aristocrats were the trendsetters. It soon spiraled out of control and the points became so long that people were constantly tripping over themselves.
In some cultures, men controlled the types of shoes their wives wore as a means of strutting their egos. In the Chinese Culture, women's feet were bound as a way to keep them small. The reason that is said to be behind of this, is so that these women would not be able to travel far on their own, and as a result would be "faithful" to their husbands. In the 16th century, Venetian husbands desired their wives to wear ridiculously high stilt-like shoes, so that they would not be able to travel too far either. These shoes were so high and steep, that often times Aristocrat women could not even walk in them, and needed their slaves to assist them with walking.
Style
The development of woven stocking was pivotal in the transition of uncomfortable shoes, to snuggly fitted and contoured shoes. Today, more so than other reasons, for many people shoes are a way to make a fashion statement-a beautiful statement at that. But just how would the modern woman hold up if she were teleported back in time? She would not dare to wear red or yellow shoes in Egypt, because it was considered taboo for women below Aristocratic rank to wear these color shoes. In ancient Greece, a modern woman of today would be considered dull, since Greek women owned as many as 20 pairs of shoes, with a style for every occasion. I don't know about you, but I'll be lucky if I had 9 pairs in my closet.
In the West, the modern woman would be running and screaming during her wedding, as her father tries to throw a shoe at her to signify the transfer of power from him to her mate. In Anglo-Saxon ceremonies, the modern woman would not dare to wear Pumps, much less Stiletto heels at her own wedding, since instead of exchanging rings, the groom would take her shoes and tap her in the head with it.
Indeed it's a remarkable and interesting history of how humans went from barefooted to having shoes of all sizes, types, and styles. It's even more remarkable that in the 21st century, for a woman, it's not only about safety, status and style, but also of self expression and liberation. Long live the Shoe!
About the Author
Sherylene Dyer is the owner and sole founder of Itz 4Real (www.shopitz4real.com)--a growing online women's trendy apparel store. She is 25 years of age, and strives to be a successful Entrepreneur in the Fashion Industry.
Do leather covered stiletto heels seem more dressy than wooden ones?
I've seen some gorgeous shoes this fall and winter, but some of them in the black patent and regular black leather have either a black wooden or tan wooden stiletto heel. I think I prefer when the whole heel is covered in leather like the rest of the shoe for a dress shoe and that wooden ones are still cute, but maybe not as dressy for formal events. What do you all think?
covered heels do look nicer, but wooden ones are cute, especially if they have a wooden platform
My gf in Sexy Leather Stiletto Boots
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