For generations they have signified femininity and glamour - but a pair of high heels was once an essential accessory for men.
this post was submitted on 30 Apr 2024
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As I understand it, high heels started out as shoes for riding horses. Considering hardly anyone rides horses anymore, and how uncomfortable walking in high heels is, I kinda have the opposite question: Why do people still wear them?
Impracticality and fashion are often interlinked. The affluent traditionally have less of a need for function over form, so styles trend towards the extreme end of inconvenience to convey opulence. Emulating the wealthy is seen as a way to project wealth and status. As styles trickle down, the less sensible elements become associated with elegance.
Condensed, high heels are a way to signal affluence whether or not it exists.
They have also stuck around for women because they increase height and standing on tiptoes makes the leg muscles contract which are both commonly considered attractive even without the association with elegance/wealth.
Men don't show off their calves.
No one is wearing a heel like that on a horse. Riding boot heels are about 1/2 inch just enough to prevent the foot from slipping through a stirrup. These bad boys were fashion from the get go.