High heels were originally men’s shoes.

High heels were originally men’s shoes

The answer lies deep in the high heel's history. While now almost solely designed for women, the high-heel was originally considered men's apparel. It dates back over 2,000 years to actors in Ancient Greece who wore platforms during their stage productions. The higher the shoe, the more important the character.

High heels date all the way back to the 10th century when many horseback-riding men wore heels on their boots and shoes. The heels helped their feet stay in the stirrups while riding. Cowboy boots still have heels for that very reason. Thus, it was men — not women — who wore the first heeled shoes.

10th century

High-heeled shoes were first worn in the 10th century as a way to help the Persian cavalry keep their shoes in their stirrups. Since then, men's heels have gone through varied cultural meanings: symbolizing high social stature, military prowess, refined fashionable taste, and the height of 'cool'.

Why do men's shoes have heels? Today the heels on men's shoes protect the sole from wear. ... Men's shoes traditionally had high heels to make it easier to ride on horseback. Later, they became a status symbol among the aristocracy.

It is not women's privilege to wear high heels. Even men can wear beautiful high heels if they can walk with it. ... So we can go together in the shoe shop and look for beautiful high heels and wear them afterwards.