The High-story of Heels

Heh, I just love that title. Pretty smart eh? =P

Ahhh...high-heeled shoes. What woman doesn't go on a rampage for them on a daily basis? So far, I have never met any woman who wouldn't compromise on going heel-less for more than a day - save for myself. =\

Face it, we females are suckers when it comes to cute shoes. We are actually a bunch of masochists(it takes a lot for me to admit this) to put up with the pain that comes with that new 4-inch stiletto from Dolce and Gabbana. Damn, dont they make some fine ass shoes! Aherm, moving on.

In the recent years that I voluntarily succumbed to the temptation of heels, I have learned a few things:

1. The most beautiful shoes are often bad for your feet.

2. Wearing heels will results in painful physical conditions known as bunions.

3. Wearing heels for more than 5 hours will results in blisters, abrasions and stinging pain on the sole of your foot.

Which begs the question "why women wear heels if it's more pain and less gain?"

Once I wore heels for more than 8 hours and I suffered for 2 weeks from swollen ankles and blisters and dislocated Achilles point. As Mrs. Doubtfire(played by Robin Williams in 1993) said " who's the mysogynistic bastard who invented high heels? I'd kill him if I find him!".

That got me thinking. Who did actually? When and where did it all start?

After surfing around for some time, I came across these few theories on the origins of high heels.

1. The earliest known high heels were worn by the Egyptians in 1000 BC. Heels were said to denote high status. Since the Pharaohs and his royal entourage were the only people with high enough social status, im guessing it's them.

2. Esquilo, the first Greek theatrical author in Old Greece used platform heels to denote the social statuses of the characters his actors are portraying.

3. Chinese and Turkish harem women wore high heels to preserve their demure, graceful sway so they would look like fairies flying . It is also implied that such high platform shoes(raging from 30-50cm) were to prevent them from escaping the harem.

4. In the 16th century, a really short woman by the name of Catherine of Medici hailing from Paris invented high heels to accommodate her short stature. This is what heels commonly looked in 16th century until the late 1800's.

 I personally think they're kind of cute but the toe part makes me think twice.

4. Prostitutes Old Rome were identified by their high heels and it was said to be very seductive to men. Showing the feet in the ancient times were considered sexual, thus wearing high heeled shoes(that shows the feet) that would be visible under the hem of the long skirt of the prostitutes is something that comes off as flirty and sexy.

After the 19th century, designer shoes boomed like a tsunami and that fad have not yet faded since then. Heels are now prevelent not only among the rich but among the bourgeois and lower middle class as well!

Here are some popular high heeled shoes in the market.

 

Cone Heels

Kitten Heels(peep toe front)

Stilettos. Most popular kind of heels among women. I personally think it's painful but I do like peep-toes. =D

These are called Mules. Popular among those grandmotherly old women.

Apparently these are called platform heels. I personally refer to them as Pornstar Shoes.

 

Prism Heels. These cant be worn for long, my Achilles Point hurt like hell. =(

These are called Pumps. High stiletto heels with fully covered toe. Popular among those business-woman type.

These are Platforms. They're the cause of sprained and dislocated ankle for women everywhere who wore them.

These are called Sling-Back Heels. Notice there's a support around the ankle area. These are quite comfortable and stable than her sister-heel counterparts.

These beauties are called Sneaker Pumps. I personally own one of these babies and boy do I turn heads when I wear them! One even asked me where I got them! But the downside is, they're pretty uncomfortable wearing a long time.

These are called Spool Heels. Looks weird...doesn't it? 

Newest atrocity made by mankind to further kill our dying feet, Ladies and Gentlemen may I introduce you to Tip Toes. 

These are called Wedges. Too bad, for all their attractiveness, these shoes are very unstable and painful on the sole of the foot.

And the reward for wearing these shoes for the sake of beauty, here it is.

Why, hello there bunions! I see you have paid a visit to my feet! Oh, didn't see you there Distorted Toes! Fancy having some nourishment? A tube of Foot Cream, perhaps?

So ladies, the lessen here is, you dont need to torture yourself by wearing pretty shoes that would end up like the picture. Wear flip flops, sandals or even go barefoot instead! I personally refuse to have my feet so gnarled and diseased like that picture when I'm older...do you?