| The history of heels and their evolution is interesting and fascinating. It is full of unexpected facts and events. Today we review some of them. |
| The ancient world In Ancient Egypt footwear was made of papyrus. It wonders that then only Pharaoh and his confidants could wear it. Those sandals cost pretty much. At the same time Pharaoh’s wife wasn’t included in the group of confidants and went barefoot. Once Gerodot wrote that for manufacturing of a pair of sandals for Pharaoh a year income of an average city was necessary. It was precisely in Egypt where the first heel was invented. The difference is heels were carried not by Pharaohs and priests, but by ploughmen for whom heels were necessary as a support to move easier on friable terrain. |
| Baroque It wonders, but the trendsetter then was a French officer who carried jack boots — heavy leather high boots with heels. High heels were necessary for them so that the foot was better fixed in a stirrup while riding. However, not only military but also secular boots were in a fashion. It remained so till the end of 17th century when knitted stockings fitting a foot appeared. In 1680 came into fashion high-heeled shoes. The heels were so high that women could go only leaning against a cane. Gentlemen wanted not to lag behind ladies, so the fashion for heels became general. |
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| Age of revolutions The French revolution of 1789 deprived ladies of high heels for almost 50 years. Women’s shoes of the times of Napoleon reminded modern flats. Europe was captured by the idea of simplification of the lifestyle. Everybody seemed to oppose unhealthy corsets, narrow high-heeled shoes. In the streets of Paris appeared women with a short hairstyle, wearing in flat sandals. But a new emperor Napoleon Bonaparte didn’t approve such a tendency. In the result the fashion returned but the heels remained unpopular. The thing is at that times it was obligatory to dance well, and high heels were bad for that. |
| Modern times The previous and present centuries were full of opportunities for shoe designers. Appeared lots of new styles, bold thoughts were fulfilled. Designers have turned into sorcerers making dreams come true. Nowadays we live in the epoch of freedom and style. Everybody can choose something especial according to own taste. Let’s take advantage of it, let’s be free and stylish. |
 
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]]>Considering their unsophisticated construction, it is no surprise for anyone that sandals were the earliest type of footwear that replaced foot wraps. The early sandals usually consisted of a hard sole that held to the foot with a help of a strap passing around the ankle or over the instep. Egyptians made the soles of the sandals of papyrus using their footprints on wet sand and fixed the soles to their feet using unprocessed leather.
These sandals protected feet from hot sand and uneven surfaces. However, the foot still remained fully exposed, which was ideal for Egyptian women, who wore lots of jewelry on their feet.
The soles of Roman empress’ sandals were made of gold and decorated with gem stones.The Slavs wore felted cloth sandals.
Sandals were not exactly an item of high fashion until the 20s of the last century, when they experienced a true bloom. Adventurous designers even decided to equip sandals with a heel.
Today’s sandals are varied in styles and designs, and offered in a wide range of colors by a number of brands throughout the world. Most popular sandal types include clogs, flip-flops, Grecian sandals, Roman sandals and so many more. Gladiator sandals deserve special attention in that respect. They have been around for quite a while, but it looks like they will retain their popular status well into the future.
Even Nike produced their vision of this shoe type for this summer. In fact, the shoe looks like a mixture of classic gladiator sandals and traditional Nike sneakers. They come in two colors – black and white, and can be worn both, with casual clothing and with something more fancy.
Of course, sandals are best fitted for hot weather and mostly worn during the summer, when our feet need «more air to breath».
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