Every modern lady has her own “perfect” pair of shoes with heels, which she wears on a special occasion. It is considered that the high heel allows you to look slimmer and adds grace to the female gait. However, such shoes are not news in the fashion world, their history goes deep into the past.
The history of modern shoes
After passing through the centuries, the female heel has undergone many transformations, but its essence has remained unchanged - to turn a woman into a graceful beauty. So, we single out a few historical facts of the "birth" of modern shoes:
- The word "heel" literally translates as "heel."
- The first mention of the prototype of the heel found in the ancient Egyptians and the ancient Greeks: shoes with a "protrusion" used by farmers and actors.
- According to one version, the modern prototype begins its journey with men's shoes of the Baroque era. Boots during riding should be firmly fixed, and the heel became an assistant to hold shoes in the stirrup.
- Women's shoes on a small 5-centimeter heel appeared at the French court in 1533.
- Later, in 1660, Louis XV was made embroidered shoes on a 10-centimeter heel.
- In the 17th century, both male and female versions of high boots and shoes, which were allowed to be worn exclusively for noblemen and members of royal families, became popular.
- Initially, shoes were made without arch supports and with pads of the same variant, without differences between the right and left legs.
- In the XVIII century, shoes become exclusively female attribute of beauty. Fashionistas tight heels velvet and encrusted with stones, for which they meet the disapproval of the church.
- In the days of the French Revolution, uncomfortable models changed soft shoes with thin soles, similar to slippers, which took root on the ladies' legs for almost 50 years. In Russia, the sterlet with the lack of a heel, but with a high toe, has become fashionable.
- In the middle of the XIX century, slippers were replaced by small heels-glasses on leather shoes.
- The final look and shape of the foot shoes began to take only in the XX century. In the 50s, the fashion house Dior creates the very studs that are popular today.
All these historical facts show only that people at all times tried to change their appearance, add height to themselves and emphasize the elegance of their legs.
Positive and negative sides of fashion
Some girls prefer to wear high-rise shoes every day without worrying about leg weariness. So, it is necessary to consider in more detail the positive and negative sides of such a fashionable trend as a high heel.
The positive aspects of such shoes include the following nuances:
- The correct heel makes the girl visually slimmer, helps keep her back straight, thanks to which her posture is straightened, her shoulders straighten;
- By becoming higher at the expense of shoes, a person psychologically gains confidence in his decisions and striving for his intended goals;
- Physically wearing such a model is not an easy task, but in return, you can get taut buttocks and calves, as well as strengthen other muscle groups;
- In winter, the heel allows you to lift your foot from the snow and thereby keep it warm;
- Elegant shoes are suitable for almost all items of clothing and to any image, except for sports.
In addition to all the above beauty and lightness, there are also not very pleasant effects of daily wearing heels:
- deformation of the feet in the shoe is inevitable and can lead to flat-footedness, the formation of calluses and corns;
- provoking serious diseases of the spine - osteochondrosis, deformity;
- possible deformation of the bones of the hip joints;
- injuries are inevitable;
- provoking leg diseases such as thrombophlebitis, varicose veins;
- stratification of nails and the excitation of fungal microflora.
In addition to all of the above, high heels are not allowed to wear overweight people suffering from diseases of the joints, kidneys, and pregnant women.
The right choice of shoes - the key to beauty and health
Whatever the consequences of wearing shoes with heels, women will still always buy shoes and boots of this model. To slightly simplify the daily stressful stay of the legs, there are certain rules for the selection of comfortable shoes. How to choose shoes with high heels:
- Resistant outsole. Before buying, you need to check shoes. The sole sliding on any surfaces can play a cruel joke and become life-threatening.
- Product weight Quality shoes are always light and almost imperceptible on the foot. A poor-quality surrogate, on the contrary, is massive, so fitting shoes are necessary to avoid making mistakes.
- Heel height. For the everyday option, it is better to choose a steady heel of not too long or choose a model with a hidden platform that will visually make the growth taller.
- The size and width of the shoe. Be sure to make sure that the shoes are not too tight, do not hit the foot and fit in full. Too narrow shoes will bring painful sensations, and wide, on the contrary, legs will be covered with calluses.
- Stable block. When fitting, the heel should not stagger, creating an unstable gait.
Of course, the best thing to buy shoes from natural materials - leather, suede, nubuck. In such shoes, the legs will not sweat and slide, and they will also last longer than a pair of artificial materials.
Beautiful high-heeled shoes: fashion trends
From year to year designers try to invent unique models of shoes, add new details and apply high-quality materials. Some models are quite outrageous, but there are modest options. So, let's take a closer look at the fashion trends in the world of heeled shoes:
- Eternal classics. The hit of the coming year - new variations of the “boats”: popular colors - black, burgundy, turquoise, lemon; textures - metallized and patent leather. This option is suitable for any holiday.
- High heel paired with hidden platform. Bright velvet-covered models made of reptile leather are gaining popularity - for the demi-season, and satin slippers - for the warm season.
- Bright accent. Shoes become a real work of art: decorated with stones, rhinestones, sewing. The heel is encrusted with metal, plastic, cloth and contrasts brightly with the shoe model itself.
- Retro "in a new way." The narrow nose of the beige gamma shoes must be contrast: black, indigo, burgundy, silver.
- High stud. Such shoes will never go out of fashion, but it is difficult to go to them every day, therefore it is better to leave them for evening events. A classic combination will be the classic black color and the presence of textile colors, bows, rhinestones and small chains.
Despite the abundance of colors, forms and materials, you should pick up shoes to go along, focusing on the format of the event, where you can go to them.
High-heeled shoes and platform
Recently, high-heeled shoes in combination with a platform or a tractor outsole have become a very popular model. Fashion for such shoes inspired by the style of the 90s. In order to choose the right model, you need to know some important nuances:
- a combination of platform and heel visually add growth;
- ankle strap emphasizes slim legs;
- open toe demonstrates beautiful pedicure;
- closed toe helps to hide possible defects;
- beige models will visually lengthen the legs;
- The platform, smoothly turning into a heel, is more stable than the classic version.
In the fashion again the popular trio: black, white, red. However, the rating is gaining summer colors: pale pink, beige, lemon, green, coffee.
Men's high heel shoes: review
A high heel on men's shoes has long been no news in the fashion world, because he came to us from the lobby of the royal chambers. However, modern conservatives are wary of the return to the fashion of this savory detail. So, consider the options for men's shoes with heels:
- Cossack shoes. This model is characterized by a narrowed nose and heel. The favorite shoes of romantics and adventurers.
- Lacquer shoes sample 80s. They resemble a classic model and have a slightly overestimated sock, as a result of which they are quite suitable for office work and for a date.
- Rough high-heeled shoes add height to a man, and a bit of brutality.
Do not think that modern fashion is limited to a pair of options for shoes with heels for men. Recently, young men of top models in shoes, completely repeating female models, began to appear on fashion shows. For many men, this causes a wave of indignation, but designers have their own creative outlook on the fashion world.
How high are heels?
Despite the variety of options for shoes, there are main types of heels, which are considered the most popular among women of different ages:
- Viennese. The smallest representative of this gradation, whose height is only 2 cm, is most often found on shoes and ballet shoes.
- The heel brick, from 2 to 4 cm in size, is convenient and adds stability to boots, semi-boots and boots.
- Wedge-shaped. Such a small "triangle" is able to visually lengthen the legs, most often it is small, from 2 to 6 cm, but there are also higher versions - up to 10 cm.
- Cowboy option. The low and thick heel from 4 to 6 cm, is rather steady, decorates mainly cowboy boots of different lengths.
- The cone-shaped heel is usually quite high - more than 8 cm, it looks beautiful on shoes and sandals, giving the appearance of femininity.
- Column. Its length starts from 5 cm, it is quite wide and high, which allows you to feel stable when walking.
- The heel-glass is small and elegant, suitable for tall women, since its height is never more than 6 cm.
- Wedge or platform. A solid outsole with a rise from 5 to 20 cm is considered to be a fairly convenient option, especially in summer.
- Hairpin The most elegant version of women's shoes varies from 8 to 20 cm. The designers have not yet come up with more popular evening shoes.
In addition to these models, there are also very futuristic options with curly heels, not suitable for everyday wear, but very acceptable for photo shoots and shows.
Stylist tips: how to wear fashionable shoes
Every woman wants to look elegant, but not everyone can choose the right shoes. How to choose and then walk in high-heeled shoes? Stylists advise to pay attention to the following details:
- The square heel is better to choose aged women and corpulent.
- Heel-glass is ideal for tall girls who want to look elegant.
- Wedges emphasize the romance of a young lady in combination with a sundress or a long skirt.
- It is better for teenagers to refuse high models in order not to get back problems prematurely. Acceptable length for young creatures - 2 cm on the notorious ballet shoes.
- Shoes with heels more than 8 cm should be worn only for events that last no more than 4 hours, otherwise there is a risk to get the diseases mentioned earlier.
- The volume of the model and the thickness of the heel must necessarily match the parameters of the girl. For example, a too massive version of “add” size and leg, and the figure as a whole, and too thin - emphasizes the fullness of the foot.
In addition, picking up shoes, you should take into account the season: in the autumn, it is better to choose shoes on the platform, in the summer - on the wedge or stiletto, in winter the tractor sole and the stable square heel are indispensable.
Conclusion
Talking about shoes is incredibly pleasant, but choosing them correctly is not easy at all. In order not to be mistaken in our preferences, let us once again recall the key moments of the selection of high heel shoes:
- Do not wear such shoes every day, so as not to harm their health. It is best to leave high heels for evening activities.
- You should choose comfortable shoes from natural materials, with a stable shoe.
- With the help of the heel, you can visually add growth and lengthen the legs, as well as emphasize the details of the wardrobe and a beautiful figure.
And a little more additional information on the topic - in the next video.
