High Heel Evolution
Pardeep Singh
| 12-01-2024
· Fashion team
High heels, a timeless fashion accessory, effortlessly elevate any outfit and boost the wearer's confidence.
For over 500 years, high heels have been a staple in every woman's wardrobe, transcending professions and styles. Let's journey back in time to explore the fascinating evolution of high heels.
To discover the earliest instances of high heels, we must venture back to ancient Egyptian times. However, the thick-soled heels of that era stirred heated discussions in society.
Despite initially heightening a woman's allure, these heels found favour among the aristocracy, serving the practical purpose of keeping garments from dragging on dirty streets.
While contemporary high heels predominantly grace women's feet, it might surprise you that during the 17th and 18th centuries, high heels were more prevalent in men's fashion!
From the Victorian era to the early 20th century, elegant ladies favoured high heels, often discreetly peeking out from underneath long skirts.
As skirts became shorter, high heels gradually took centre stage in fashion. A finishing touch was added with stockings, complementing the simplicity of the heels.
The evolution continued with intricate details like openwork cut-outs and the substitution of delicate silk for heavy leather, further enhancing the design.
A significant milestone was the introduction of the open-toe design, marking an actual elevation in heel height. Hollywood's golden age and fashion stars inspired designers to create high-heel designs, transforming them from accessories to everyday wear.
The evolution persisted with thicker heel designs, increasing both height and prominence. Staggered strap high heels emerged, adorned with delicate straps and knots that imparted a distinctly feminine touch.
In the late 1950s, fashion trends embraced demure and detailed clothing, setting the tone for the 1960s, where matching dresses with heels of the same colour became the norm—boat heels entered in the late 1960s, followed by strappy heels in 1971.
The mid-1980s established a standard: white heels paired with leggings, creating a coordinated look from lip colour to dress to heels.
The mid-1990s witnessed the trend of pink with metal and nude socks.
The early 2000s brought forth a contentious trend epitomized by Britney Spears' square peep-toe heels.
In the contemporary woman's daily regimen, choosing from various heels and dedicating time to mix and match are integral to achieving the ideal, stylish appearance.
High heels, once a practical solution, have evolved into a symbol of style, confidence, and enduring fashion.