Posted by Bryan on 8/21/2012 to
Shoe Comfort
The first shoe was thought to be worn in Mesopotamia around 1200 BC. It wasn't really a shoe but more like a soft material that wrapped around the feet, closer to a moccasin than what we would consider a shoe today. In 1400s European culture, heels were worn by male and female alike. In Turkey, the platform shoes were very painful, and the heels were as low as eighteen inches and as high as thirty inches. The wearers had a problem walking on their own. Servants were often brought into service just to hold up the person walking in them, or the heel wearer used a walking cane.
In Europe, the heel wasn't seen as fashion until they were worn for the first time by Catherine de Medici who was on the short side. She wanted to appear taller to compete for the affections of her soon to be husband, Duke of Orleans. Up until the 1800s, there was no differentiating between a right shoe and a left shoe. They were equally uncomfortable. Heels were worn by both men and women at that time.
In the twentieth century, women demanded more comfortable shoes. They saw the shoes as torture they were forced to endure. Most women still wore heels through the 60s, 70s and 80s, but they did not feel as if they were required to wear them. With the demand for more comfortable shoes, came the supply of low heels and soft-soled shoes.
Both men and women are on their feet a lot during the day, and they require shoes that fit well, do not cramp their toes and are comfortable enough to keep up with a busy life. Men have the basic dress shoe that can be very comfortable in a way that leaves them still looking professional. Women have a harder time finding professional looking shoes that are comfortable, but with some searching it is possible to find flats that flatter your feet with a professional air, provide comfort and support. The key is to find shoes that fit. Wearing shoes that do not fit can cause severe pain and over time will have adverse effects on the legs and back.
In Europe, the heel wasn't seen as fashion until they were worn for the first time by Catherine de Medici who was on the short side. She wanted to appear taller to compete for the affections of her soon to be husband, Duke of Orleans. Up until the 1800s, there was no differentiating between a right shoe and a left shoe. They were equally uncomfortable. Heels were worn by both men and women at that time.
In the twentieth century, women demanded more comfortable shoes. They saw the shoes as torture they were forced to endure. Most women still wore heels through the 60s, 70s and 80s, but they did not feel as if they were required to wear them. With the demand for more comfortable shoes, came the supply of low heels and soft-soled shoes.
Both men and women are on their feet a lot during the day, and they require shoes that fit well, do not cramp their toes and are comfortable enough to keep up with a busy life. Men have the basic dress shoe that can be very comfortable in a way that leaves them still looking professional. Women have a harder time finding professional looking shoes that are comfortable, but with some searching it is possible to find flats that flatter your feet with a professional air, provide comfort and support. The key is to find shoes that fit. Wearing shoes that do not fit can cause severe pain and over time will have adverse effects on the legs and back.