Heels where they came from

[Fred in Skirts]

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[robehickman]

They were invented to stop feet coming out of stirrups when riding horses, I think 'the closet historian' has a video essay on it - one of those channels does.

[Fred in Skirts]

They were invented to stop feet coming out of stirrups when riding horses, I think 'the closet historian' has a video essay on it - one of those channels does.

From Wikipedia...High heels spread from equestrian origins with the 10th century Persian galesh to wider fashion use. In early 17th-century Europe, high heels were a sign of masculinity and high social status. Towards the end of the century, the trend began to spread to women's fashion.[3] By the 18th century, high-heeled shoes had split along gender lines. By this time, heels for men were chunky squares attached to riding boots or tall formal dress boots, while women's high heels were narrow, pointy, and often attached to slipper-like dress shoes (similar to modern heels).[3] By the 20th century, high heels with a slim profile represented femininity; however, a thick high heel on a boot or clog was still socially acceptable for men.[2] Until the 1950s, shoe heels were typically made of wood, but in recent years they have been made of a variety of materials including leather, suede, and plastic.[4]
Starting in the 10th century, the Persian cavalry wore galesh, a kind of boot with heels, to ensure their feet stayed in the stirrups. Heeled shoes also ensured the safety of Persian arrow-shooting riders, while standing up on galloping horses.[11] This utility of the heel for horseback riders has been preserved in the Western cowboy boot. Wearing heels became associated with wealth because of its traditional connection with horseback riding, which was expensive and time-consuming.[12] This practical use of the heel set the standard for most horseback riding shoes throughout history and into the present day.

[Rokje]

Thanks Fred.

Gentlemen, start wearing those heels if you want to.