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Womens Heels
History of High Heel Shoes
High heel shoes can have an amazing effect on women and are able to fill them with pleasure and excitement when shopping for them at Chanel or Prada. The high-heeled shoe in particular is a matter of contentious and heated discussion. No other shoe has gestured toward sexuality and sophistication as much as the high-heeled shoe. So many women are dreaming of having their closets full of shoes, but in reality they are merely pay attention to the fact that shoes could be one of the oldest inventions of our ancestors.
High heels are not a modern invention. Rather, they enjoy a rich and varied history, for both men as well as women. Controversy exists over when high heels were first invented, but the consensus is that heels were worn by both men and women throughout the world for many centuries.
Most of the lower class in ancient Egypt walked barefoot, but figures on murals dating from 3500 B.C. depict an early version of shoes worn mostly by the higher classes. In ancient Greece and Rome, platform sandals called kothorni, later known as buskins in the Renaissance, were shoes with high wood or cork soles that were popular particularly among actors who would wear shoes of different heights to indicated varying social status or importance of characters.
Around 1500, European nobility developed heels as a separate part of their shoes, primarily as a means to help keep their feet in the stirrups. The wear of heels by men quickly became the fashion norm, primarily in the courts, and this practice spawned the term, "well-heeled" as a reference to those who could afford the costlier shoes.
The modern European fashion of the high heel comes from the Italian "chapiney" or "chopine" style: mounted shoes on a 15 to 42 cm high cylinder. In 1430 chopines were prohibited in Venice, but nothing could stop the trend. The invention of the high heel is attributed to Catherine of Medici in Paris, in the 16th century, who used them due to her short stature, and soon introduced them into fashion amongst the European aristocracy. At the age of 14, Catherine de Medici was engaged to the powerful Duke of Orleans, later the King of France.
In the 17th century, the English Parliament punished as witches all women who used high heels to seduce men into marrying them. In his biography, the famous Giovanni Casanova declared his love for high heels, which raised women's hoop skirts, thus showing their legs.
In 1791, the "Louis" high heels disappeared with the revolution, and Napoleon banished high heels in an attempt to show equality. Despite the Napoleonic Code against high heels, in 1793 Marie Antoinette went to the scaffold to be executed wearing two-inch heels.
In the 1860s, heels as fashion became popular again, and the invention of the sewing machine allowed greater variety in high heels. In Victorian art and literature, cartoons and allusions to tiny feet and the affliction of large feet (typical of the elderly spinster) were ubiquitous. Victorians thought that the high heel emphasized the instep arch, which was seen as symbolic of a curve of a woman.
While high heels enjoyed widespread popularity in the late nineteenth century but the Depression during the 1930s influenced Western shoe fashion as heels became lower and wider.
With the creation of the miniskirt in the early 1960s, stilettos came into fashion and were attached to boots that enhanced the look of bare legs. A stiletto heel is a long, thin heel found on some boots and shoes, usually for women. It is named after the stiletto dagger, the phrase being first recorded in the early 1930s. Stiletto heels may vary in length from 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) to 5 cm (2 inches) or more if a platform sole is used.
Unlike the medieval period of Europe, when extravagance was more sought after that practicality, the fashion today trumps comfort. Women in the 21st century have more shoe choices than ever before. From athletic wear to the 2006 "heelless" high heel, women can choose to wear what they want, even hybrid shoes such as "heeled" tennis shoes and flip flops. While these may be oddities of fashion, they gesture toward an exciting array of fashion choices women have today.
Every woman deserves to wear shoes which match her outfit, look elegant and wrap her delicate feet. Whether they are lace up, platform or clear heel each of the shoes definitely compliments the outfit and makes the women love walking and feeling sexy.
When it comes to high heels they are teasing and flattering, they make women feel special and empowered as well as highly confident regardless of when or how they are worn.
A Few Hits to Help Choose the Right Pair of High Heels
There are a world of assorted types of high heeled shoes, including pumps, platforms, sandals, wedges and high heeled boots for ladies...there is also the increasing trend for men to now wear heels, this indicates just how many styles today's shoe fashion embraces. Heels don't have to be too high to be in fashion and acceptable ...so here are a few ideas for choosing the right pair of high heeled shoes:
Choose the right heel and shoe shape for your legs.... If legs are too thick, heels with a pointed toe may seem much smaller and may make feet look out of proportion with the rest of the body. Find a heel that makes the legs look in proportion with the shoes. Many people make their legs appear leaner by choosing a wider design in heeled shoes. Heels that are too sturdy may make your legs look sturdy also.
What shoes are suitable for an outfit?
Color, dress length and style are critical to shoe choice, as an example, if very high heels such as stiletto are worn with a mini skirt there is real danger of the wrong message being given out. A pair of heels will enhance the look of long skirts on a shorter person but take note of the height of the heel as the dress or skirt must not appear too long or too short. A full length dress does not require elaborate shoes because they will not be visible. Mid height heels may be more suitable for knee length outfits.
Be careful of wearing highly decorative shoes with a longer dress particularly as they may conflict with the dress details. Extravagant shoes achieve better results with shorter dresses. Simple classic heels are more suited to longer elaborate dresses. Avoid black shoes with pastel outfits unless bags and belts are coordinated. If wearing jeans, the shape of the bottom of the jean leg can also determine the type of heels that should be worn. Platform heels can be great with jeans and if the jeans are longer the impression is that you are taller which can be a bonus!
Safety.... With high heels and stilettos, beware of strappy shoes. They can look super sexy but ankles can be twisted easily. Take care that straps are firmly attached and the heel chosen is well balanced. Maybe choose a wedge heel. An additional idea would be to roughen the bottoms of new heels which can avert a nasty accident on the dance floor.
Flexibility.... Wedge heeled shoes can provide greater flexibility and can give all the 'leg slimming' and 'extra height' benefits of a heel that's not so high. They are great with mid and mini skirts and are great for wearing to the office. heeled boots can also be very flexible and can be worn with almost all outfits. They are great with skirts and suitable for office wear.
Comfort.... High heels don't have to mean 'super high heels' or stilettos which can be very painful if not selected properly, and they are also not geared for walking too far in. If heels do need to go hand in hand with comfort, which is a sensible option..then a lower heel or a kitten heel should be selected. Maybe choose a style with squared-off toes or open toes and shorter, chunkier heels instead of stilettos or maybe, again, the all round wedge heel which slopes the foot gently and supports the whole of the foot area. Wedge heels are good for the office because they can be worn for longer periods of time without too much strain on the foot. maybe shop later in the day as feet swell as the day goes on. Also break them in in advance if one intends to wear them to a special function. Ultimately, the heel height one chooses should be determined by how many aches and pains one can allow oneself.
Sex appeal....Sandals with heels and boots with heels are very, very, sexy, and very versatile as well. In addition to enhancing ones femininity, sandals fastened at the ankle, or higher up the leg, will draw attention to legs as well as feet. Most sandals, including flip flops, some of which do fall under the category of high heeled shoes, have small, delicate heels, called kitten heels, which gives them a look that can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on what one prefers.
High Heel Shoes
Stylish and elegant, high-heeled footwear is a perfect choice to compliment your outfit. High heels are a popular choice among women. Trendy, sleek and stylish, high-heeled sandals or shoes are in vogue, globally. Whether it is sleek stilettos or platforms, high heels have taken the footwear industry by storm.
Making one look taller and trimmer, high heels are available in a huge variety of sizes, shapes, colors and styles. Any mention of fashion footwear would be incomplete without a mention of high heels.
High heels are usually available in sizes varying from two to six inches, in different styles and shapes. Whether sandals, slip-ons or shoes, high heels add enticing elegance to the wearer's persona. In sync with all sorts of dresses, whether ethnic or western, high-heeled footwear has redefined footwear fashion.
High heels became popular during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and since then have continued to be in style. Exuding elegance, high heels can be worn on any and every occasion. From weddings to professional conferences, high heels add to your style.
However, this trendy footwear has certain disadvantages too. Experts do not recommend wearing high heels frequently and for too long, as wearing them continuously may result in foot ache, blisters, cones etc. Furthermore, wearing high heels can cause permanent damage to the foot and calf muscles. Expectant mothers and heart patients are also advised to keep away from high heels. One should wear high heels only after consulting a specialist, and choose a design that suits their foot.
So get set to walk high in style, but with caution!
Learning to Walk in High Heels
Learning to walk in high heels can be quite the challenge. Shoes can make or break your outfit and shoes with high heels are often the perfect fashion accessory. Shoes with a higher heel can be very intimidating to those who have never worn them before. I'll walk you through step by step and before you know it, you will be strutting in your sexy shoes!
Step 1. How to Buy Shoes
Obviously the first step in this venture would be to buy a pair of high heel shoes. It is best when first learning to walk in heels to be conservative with your choice. It is much easier to up in heel height than to start with a higher heel and work down. Shoes with heels can be found in almost any height. If you have never worn a dress shoe before, start with a ½ inch to 1 inch heel. If you are comfortable in your standard dress shoes, you may want to start with a shoe with a heel height of 2 to 4 inches. Several factors should go into your choice, as high heel shoes come in a variety of styles. Now that you've chosen which heel height you are going to purchase, consider some different styles. There is the standard pump style with a high heel which offers almost no ankle support. Some high heels are available with an ankle strap that for the novice may be a big help.
Step 2. Balance
Walking in high heel shoes is almost always about balance. It is of utmost importance to maintain proper balance when walking in shoes with any kind of heel to avoid injury. To keep your balance, keep your legs as strait as possible and always be sure to walk from heel to toe. Walking heel to toe allows your muscles to most properly compensate for the unsteadiness of the heel on the shoe. Walking toe to heel has a reverse effect and muscles tend to over compensate quickly to regain balance, resulting in ankle injuries.
Step 3. First Steps
Now that you have your shoes and you are consciously thinking about keeping your balance, you are ready to start walking in those sexy high heel shoes. First start off by stretching your muscles around your ankle and your calf. Sit on a chair and put your shoes on. Stand up slowly, being sure to have equal pressure throughout your whole foot, including the heel. Take short slow steps, again keeping your feet strait and close together. You may feel the muscles around your ankle contract to compensate for the heel. As you feel more comfortable, take quicker strides in the same fashion. You'll be walking in your high heels before you know it.
Step 4. Increase Height
You've mastered your beginner heel height and are feeling very confident in your abilities of walking in high heels, but don't over do it. When you are ready to take the next step, only try increase the heel height by 1/2 to 1 inch at a time. A 1 inch high heel has a more dramatic effect than you may think. This gives your muscles time to adjust to the added pressures and strains and allows your muscles to grow gradually as you increase your heel height.
Please note that while sexy high heel shoes are a must in today's fashion, they can cause health problems. Strained ankles, deep vein thrombosis, shin splints, and shortening of some of the muscles can all occur from wearing shoes with a heel. Many women wear high these shoes everyday with no medical problems and others can no longer wear them from damage they have caused to their bodies wearing them. Start small, go slow, and stop if you feel any muscle strain or pain anywhere. If you follow those simple guidelines, you should be just fine.
A Little History Of Womens Heels
High heels have are becoming more popular with every passing day. They are not however a recent invention. They have a rich and exciting history for both men and women. No one really knows when they were invented but what we do know is that they have been worn by men and women for various reasons throughout the centuries.
We can see representations of High Heels on murals in ancient Egypt. These images were found on temples and in tombs. The earliest recording of high heels comes from the Hellenic times. Little indirect evidence can be found supporting the theory that High Heels were used before this but a lot of indirect evidence will support that men and women used these elevated platforms for different reasons.
Many people often refer to the first instance of use of high heels in 1533 in the marriage of Catherine De Medici and the Duke of Orleans. This caused the revolution of high heels in Italy and became very popular amongst this culture. 1580 is about when High Heels really started to come about and to be considered the normal.
In the 1660’s, there was one particular shoe maker who constructed a pair of High Heeled Shoes for Louis XIV. They had a heel of at least 4 inches. This also became very fashionable for ladies. I personally never would have known that High Heels were designed for a man and later adopted in the culture of women.
In the modern world you can find many different styles of Womens High Heels. Womens Heels can be very elegant and beautiful. Stilettos are also a very popular form of heels but often carry a negative connotation with them. When searching for heels you must keep in mind what outfit you will be wearing with your shoes. Heels can also send a message that you may not be aware of. The Thickness of the Heel and the length can complement your looks or unfortunately make your legs appear thicker than they truly are. These are things you might want to research before purchasing a new pair of heels.
Many Brands of shoes offer High Heels. Some of the popular brands are Jonathan Kayne, Azura and even Dr. Martens offer high heels for ladies. One thing you must keep in mind is how they will fit on your feet. High heels can be detrimental to the health of your feet if you’re not careful. The effects of high heels should also be researched and understood. Foot pains can be avoided by buying the proper sizes and by alternating your shoes if you are going to be wearing them for extended periods of time.
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