Shoes Q

www.shoesq.com

WHERE SHOES ORIGINATE FROM
by Margaret Patini
http://www.shoesmap.com

We all wear shoes and like them enough to make sure they
make a statement about who we are and what kind of life we
lead; but where do they come from? In the beginning -
people had to offer their feet some form of protection and
tied bark, grass or leaves to their feet with vines. These
are what we know as ~sandals~ and they soon evolved to
include toe loops. Artifacts of these shoes have been
found in Polynesia, Japan and America too.

Early dwellers in cold countries ~ leaves and bark just
wouldn~t do, so they used animal skins and furs instead as
a form of feet protection. Little did they know it, but
their design is close to what we have in some footwear
ranges today. They punched holes in the treated animal
skins and pulled it up around their feet with the help of
leather straps threaded through the holes.

It took the Roman era to bring creativity into shoe
design. The military sandal known as the Caliga was
invented. This was an open toe shoe, with lattice patterns
at the top of the shoe, lacing across the front and a
cumbersome nailed sole. There were also closed toe
variations introduced known as Gallica and Calceus that
were designed to keep soldiers feet warm!

Probably some of the strangest shoes came from the
Medieval era. Although more functional, the appearance was
odd. These shoes had a stitched sole and upper and the
toe came to a very sharp point. Because of the design,
these shoes were called ~scorpion tails.~ In fact, the
longer the shoe and the pointier the toe, the higher
status but this type of shoe was worn only by men.

Then by the middle ages, the pointed toe vanished,
replaced by a more functional and comfortable square toe.
Interestingly, the soles of shoes worn during the reign of
Henry VIII would be almost seven inches wide. Because of
their odd shape, these shoes were referred to as ~foot
bags.~ Another fascinating era for shoes was during the
16th century when the Tudor shoe was created. This shoe
has a very blunt toe with an almost monster-like
appearance.

Fortunately, at the end of that century round toed shoes
became all the rage again and laces and tongues were
added. Shoes throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries
combined influences from other centuries; they just got
more garish and higher! Today you can choose the shoe
style you want. You could go for a 1920~s and 30~s
throwback, a 70~s stiletto or a modern and elegant shoe.
Whatever you prefer, there will always be new designs out
to tempt you in the new season.

Submit An Article

Get Exposure For Your Site! Advertise with us.
Click Here For Details on a Great Deal!

Would you like more information on shoes?
Sign up here for our mailing list. You will get great information before it becomes available on our website!