I can't tell you how many times my mom has nagged me about all the shoes I buy. When I was moving out of her house, one of the biggest boxes was filled to the brim with the varieties I had collected over the years. And it has only kept growing since then!
It's pretty amazing when you think about how far shoes have come since being purely utilitarian, protecting our little piggies from the dangers that might be lurking on the ground — I know I'm certainly glad designers started adding a bit of style to our footwear.
That said, it's also important to find a balance between fashion and comfort. I know plenty of friends who have tried to walk through the pain of some particularly brutal pairs, but even they would balk at more than a few of the trends some ladies endured throughout history.
Take a look below to see what turned heads toward the floor way back in the day.
Did we miss your favorite historical footwear option? Let us know in the comments and be sure to SHARE with your friends!
1. Ancient Egyptian Gold Sandals
These stiff sandals and both toe and finger coverings were found in the tomb of three "minor wives" of Pharaoh Thutmose III.
2. Qing Dynasty Stilt Shoes
This awkward footwear ensured that ladies walking around in 17th-century China kept their steps small.
3. 18th-Century Dress Shoes
These were likely made in England around 1780, when floral embellishments were the height of fashion.
4. Go-Go Boots
These became popular with the 1960s "mod" trends, with designs ranging from covering just the ankle to reaching all the way above the knee.
5. Ultra-High Heels
Though there is no given location for this pair made in 1910, my feet hurt just thinking about walking around at that angle.
6. Swedish Chopines
Unlike the platforms that would become popular hundreds of years later, these were likely made so tall to prevent the pattern and the lady's clothing from getting dirty on muddy streets back in 1600.
7. American Ankle Boots
This gorgeous eyelet design from 1895 shows style and comfort finally starting to merge.
8. 1940s Peep Toes
These slingbacks showed off just the smallest amount of toe, which at the time was the most risqué display of skin for footwear in public.
9. Disco Platforms
I remember my mom telling me about how some designs of this 1970s staple would actually contain live goldfish in the platform, though anyone rocking the retro trend today usually sticks to fake fish or a simple solid option.
Did we miss any eye-catching examples of footwear from the past? Let us know below and be sure to SHARE with your friends!
