For generations they have signified femininity and glamour - but a pair of high heels was once an essential accessory for men.

  • @Lemvi
    link
    English
    322 months ago

    As I understand it, high heels started out as shoes for riding horses. Considering hardly anyone rides horses anymore, and how uncomfortable walking in high heels is, I kinda have the opposite question: Why do people still wear them?

    • @lemonmelon@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      132 months ago

      Impracticality and fashion are often interlinked. The affluent traditionally have less of a need for function over form, so styles trend towards the extreme end of inconvenience to convey opulence. Emulating the wealthy is seen as a way to project wealth and status. As styles trickle down, the less sensible elements become associated with elegance.

      Condensed, high heels are a way to signal affluence whether or not it exists.

      • @snooggums@midwest.social
        link
        fedilink
        English
        5
        edit-2
        2 months ago

        They have also stuck around for women because they increase height and standing on tiptoes makes the leg muscles contract which are both commonly considered attractive even without the association with elegance/wealth.

        Men don’t show off their calves.

    • RiddleMeWhy
      link
      fedilink
      English
      32 months ago

      No one is wearing a heel like that on a horse. Riding boot heels are about 1/2 inch just enough to prevent the foot from slipping through a stirrup. These bad boys were fashion from the get go.