An Insight Into High Heel Shoes

Refer to a pair of fashionable women's footwear which raises the wearer's feet significantly higher than their toes. High heeled footwear creates an aesthetically taller, slender and more toned figures. They are available in a diverse range of styles and shapes like stilettos, pumps, blocks, tapered, wedge and blade.

According to fashion icons, a heel which is above 8.5 cm is considered high while below that height is termed as low or medium heel. Normally, high heels are exclusively worn by women but cowboy boots and Cuban heels are also sported by men. Initially raised heels developed as the response to riders feet slipping forward from the stirrup while riding but in the subsequent decades it has become more stylized.

France led in the creation of high heeled shoes for men and women which later spread to pockets of nobility in other countries. The term well heeled became synonymous with opulence. Following the French Revolution there was a decline in this trend but it resurfaced in fashion in late 1800s.

While lower heels were preferred during the late 70s, high heels returned in fashion in late 80s and early 90s. In the meantime the shape of fashionable heel had changed from block (70s) to tapered (90s) and stilettos (80s and post 2000). In recent times high heels heights vary from kitten heel of 4 cm to stilettos or spike heel of 10 cm or more. Extremely high heeled footwear worn for aesthetic reasons are higher than 13 cm but are not considered practical for every day wear.

Court shoes are traditional types and often used as formal footwear while for evening wear such styles have become more adventurous. Wedge heel is another type of high heel where the heel extends till the toes. Wearing high heel footwear by women is primarily guided by its aesthetics appeal. It is believed that high heels alter the angle of the foot with respect to the lower leg, thereby, enhancing the shape of the calves.

They also add height to the wearer and make the legs appear longer and well shaped. In contrast, the size of foot gives the illusion of being smaller while the arches appear more defined. Even the lower leg muscle look better toned that accounts for the wearer creating an over all impression of flexibility and strength.

Some women have experienced the side effects of wearing shoes with high heels. Still, the voluntarily step into a pair of designer shoes as they can not resist the temptation of wearing a beautiful pair of high heel shoes. But legs are important part of our body and they need equal attention and care as they bear the weight of the whole body. Hence, women should be careful while wearing high heel shoes just for the sake of looking fashionable.

Also, podiatrists believe that 75% of women using high heels often suffer from severe foot problems such as intense pain, foot deformities, unsteady gait, shortening strides and may also result in degenerative knee joint changes. Often high heel shoes causes Achilles tendon, blisters, corn and may even contract lower back muscles. If it is not possible to avoid high heels, doctors suggest that those wearing such footwear should save these heels for special occasions while wearing well cushioned shoes for the rest of the day.

Pakistani fashion model actress singer Sexy Shoes

KISS-240, 6" Stiletto Heel Ankle Strap

PLEASER,Mid-Platform,Kiss

KISS-240, 6" Stiletto Heel Ankle Strap PF Sandal W/RS

As designer shoes, these are often narrower and tighter than usual. Take this into consideration when you choose your size, especially if you are half size.

Prom shoes by Jonathan Kayne

Prom shoes' sandal 928 Africa by Jonathan Kayne

Evolution of High Heel Footwear and Sandal

Heels Over The Years

The high-heeled shoe - the ultimate piece of fashionable footwear - has come a long way. This shoe, which has often been a matter of discussion and debate, has not always been what we know it as today. With the passage of time, it has considerably evolved. And that is what this article seeks to study - the journey of the high-heeled shoe till date.

The formal version of the high-heeled shoe is believed to have come into existence during after the year 1533. However, rougher, more informal versions have been known to exist since long back.

Egyptian murals dating as far back as 3500 BC show men and women wearing shoes, some of them in heels. It is believed that these heels were mostly worn for special occasions. Butchers in Egypt were also known to wear heels, so as to avoid stepping on the carcasses of animals.

Evidence has also been found to indicate that people in Ancient Greece and Rome wore heeled shoes called 'Kothorni' or 'Buskins'. These shoes would have heels made of wood, and would be worn mainly by actors. Another evidence of the wearing of high heels in the olden times comes from Ancient Rome, during the times when prostitution was considered illegal. During this period, sex workers would wear high heeled shoes for the purpose of identification.

In the Middle Ages in Europe, a product called 'Pattens' was largely used by males and females. It referred to wooden soles that could be readily attached to shoes, so as to avoid stepping on dirt when walking outdoors. 'Pattens' were believed to be the forerunner for the invention of the 'Chopines'. 'Chopines' referred to a more primitive version of the platform heels of today, invented in Turkey in the 1400s. It was largely used all over Europe until the middle of 1600. Chopines would be up to 30 inches in height, and women would be required to use a cane or the help of a servant to enable them to walk comfortably without tripping over. Like pattens, chopines would also be strapped to shoes, and were worn mostly by ladies.

This practice of making heels as a separate component that could be easily attached to shoes continued till the 1500s. With the passage of time, this led to the production of heeled shoes as a single piece. The popularity of the heeled shoe went up considerably in the 1500s. Mostly, they were used by riders, as they prevented the feet from slipping out of the stirrups while riding. The heeled shoe that was originally designed for riders was about 1 to 1-1/2 inches high, and was similar in appearance to the cowboy boots or riding boots of today.

In the mid 1500s, the heel became thinner and more stylish. This change came about on account of the fashionable high-heeled shoes popularized by Catherine de Medici, who married Henry, the son of King Francis I of France, in the year 1533. Catherine, who wore high heels on account of her short stature, made them more popular as 'fashion accessories' rather than as 'functional accessories'. By the year 1580, fashionable high-heeled shoes were worn largely by the affluent class of the society, which led to the coining of the term 'well-heeled', meaning a person who was well-to-do.

In the beginning of the 1700s, King Louis XIV of France used to wear heels as high as 5 inches, which would have elaborate scenes of battle on them. These heels later became popular as 'Louis heels'. During the century, heels evolved to become more thin, arched and more fashionable. As they were believed to make feet look more attractive and desirable, laws were passed over time, banning women from wearing high heels to 'capture' a man. Women who violated this law would be declared witches and would have to face trial.

Delight-601BD Stiletto Heel Neon Bead

PLEASER,Specialty,UV Reactive (Neon)

Delight-601BD, 5 3/4" Stiletto Heel Neon Bead Filled PF Sli

As designer shoes, these are often narrower and tighter than usual.Take this into consideration when you choose your size, especially if you are half size.

Celebrities and Their Influence on Fashion and Shoe Trends

Eva Longoria - celebrity shoes



Miranda Kerr - celebrity's shoes

In our society celebrities are enormously glorified as fashion divas and style icons by fashion magazines and tabloids. Fashion journalists and photographers go overboard in covering fashion trends that celebs are either following or setting, and not just on the red carpet but even when they're grocery shopping. In a way they project to people what trends they should be following while dressing up for an occasion and also in a subtle manner dictate to them how they can get a chic look when going out in the town. Youngsters and teenagers in particular come under the strong influence of the media projection of their favourite celebrity and start emulating them. This is how trends become fashions.

Celebrity shoe fashion

While accessories have always been there to add more zing to you semblance, these play a more significant role in the current fashion trends. Earlier accessories were merely used to dress up an outfit but nowadays it seems people choose their accessories first and then find a dress to match them. All credit for the change in perception can be awarded to the media that spends reams of paper in discussing the shoes, bags and jewelery worn by the celebs. Fashionable celebrities in their bid to become the talk of the press do not mind choosing the most jarring shoes as they are well aware their shoes will be noticed. In a way, celebrities make use of outrageous high heel shoes to help them to be noticed and remain in the buzz.







Shoe crazy celebs

Excessive media hype over bold, outrageous and seductive shoes has created a cult of celebrities known for their fetishes for high heels and extraordinary shoes. Some of the most shoe-worthy celebs reputed for their extreme craze for high heel shoes are -

-Victoria Beckham - Posh Spice, as she is better known, feels she is addicted to high heel shoes. "I just can't concentrate in flats" the Spice Girl said in an interview recently. Victoria is always in the news for her bold and innovative skyscraper heels designed by high profile shoe designers of the likes of Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, and Jimmy Choo.

Victoria Beckham w/ red birkin & Christian Louboutin shoes

The US cover for Victoria Beckham's style book - That Extra Half Inch





-Beyoncé - "I love those super-high shoes that are out at the moment. I'm addicted," the sensational singer and actress once exclaimed. Her high heel stiletto shoes and platform high heel shoes have created quite a stir in the shoe fashion world.


Beyonce Knowles - celebrity shoes

-Sarah Jessica Parker - Her shoe loving character Carrie Bradshaw in the TV series Sex and the City made Manolo Blahnik a household name. A fashionista with considerable influence in the fashion world, SJP herself is an active ambassador of designer high heel shoes. "My name is Sarah Jessica, and I own well over 100 pairs of Manolo Blahniks," she once claimed.

-Rihanna - The singer is known for wearing some very brave shoes. They are often the most expressive part of her ensemble that consists of designer outfits and expensive jewellery. The fashion icon is often seen wearing some of the kinkiest high heel shoes reaching up to her knees and thighs at times.

-Lady Gaga - This multi-talented burlesque singer makes sure her social antics are discussed in press by wearing risqué shoes. Her seductive thigh high shoes accompanied by a pant-less attire, seductive high heel stilettos, PVC knee-length boots etc ensure that the Lady creates quite a sensation wherever she goes.

-Paris Hilton - Socialite and fashion icon Paris Hilton is known to possess thousands of pairs of designer shoes. Her favourite shoe style is pointed stilettos, high heel pumps, knee high shoes, open-toe pumps and high heel platforms. Wildly passionate about shoes, Paris also runs a successful footwear line in her own name.



Should we follow celebrity shoe fashion?

The fickle world of fashion is all about following trends. Teens and 20-somethings are especially seen desperate to follow trends started by their favourite celebrity. In most cases however, non-celebs can't afford the designer shoes that celebrities so often flaunt, so they have to opt for cheaper imitations of the shoes that adorn the A-list celebrities of the likes of Madonna and Victoria Beckham.

According to style experts, it makes people feel proud that they are in the shoes (in terms of design of course) of their fashion idols. The strong desire to mirror celebrities at times makes youngsters copy even the most bizarre shoe styles sported by the them. Stylists warn people against following celebrity shoe designs blindly because rather than looking fashionable, young girls often end-up being ridiculed by their peers. Before selecting shoes always make sure they are practical, gels with you mood and attitude and you should be able to carry them effortlessly. If you wear excessively high heels so that you can not even walk a few steps un-aided you definitely need to reconsider your choice. Also you should not go about harming your feet just because your fave celebs always wear vertiginous high heel shoes. According to podiatrists, very high heel shoes should be reserved for special occasions and should not be worn for hours at a stretch.

How to follow celebrity fashion at less?

Well, like Carrie Bradshaw of the SATC you should not always max out your credit card to buy designer shoes. Many Online Shoes Sites offer you the option to buy sexy shoes similar to ones that adorn the feet of celebs at a highly affordable price. There classy and glamorous shoes are highly popular as they inexpensive and superlative in quality. Shop from there extensive collection of high heel shoes and they will deliver it right at your doorsteps in a safe and discreet packaging.