Women started wearing high heels in the 1700s primarily to appeal to beauty standards of the time, as the heels were believed to make their feet appear smaller.
Historical Context: Women and Heels in the 1700s
While various forms of elevated footwear have existed throughout history for different purposes (like riding horses or indicating status), the adoption of high heels by women became notably widespread in Europe during the 1700s. This period saw evolving fashion trends and specific ideals of female beauty.
The Primary Reason: Appealing to Beauty Standards
According to Elizabeth Semmelback, the senior curator of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, women began wearing high heels in the 1700s to appeal to beauty standards.
- Beauty Ideal: A specific beauty standard of the era favored the appearance of smaller feet.
- Visual Effect: High heels created the illusion of shorter, smaller feet, which was considered desirable and fashionable.
This adoption was driven by the desire to conform to and enhance perceived attractiveness based on the prevailing aesthetic norms of the time.
Expert Insight
Elizabeth Semmelback's perspective from the Bata Shoe Museum highlights that the shift to heels by women in this period was largely driven by fashion and the pursuit of beauty, specifically focusing on the visual impact they had on foot size.
