The History of High-Heels! High Heels sculpted the body to make it appear more aristocratic, pure, refined, and desirable. The desirable and sexual nature of the High Heel was also noted by the Puritans in the New World. The Massachusetts Colony even passed a law banning women from wearing high heels to ensnare a man or they would be tried as a witch (Murstein 1974). It wouldn’t be until the mid 1800s when Americans would catch up to Europe shoe fashion.

The History of High Heels is typically attributed to the short-statured Catherine de Medici (1519-1589). At the age of 14, Catherine de Medici was arranged to marry the  King of France. She was small compared to the King and  hardly considered a beauty. She felt insecure in the arranged marriage knowing she would be the Queen of the French Court and in competition with the mistress, Diane de Poitiers.

Catherine de Medici looking for a way to dazzle the French nation and compensate for her perceived lack of aesthetic appeal, she donned heels two inches high that gave her a more towering physique and an alluring sway when she walked. Her heels were a wild success and soon high heels were associated with privilege.

Mary Tudor, or “Bloody Mary,” another monarch seeking to appear larger than life, wore heels as high possible (McDowell 1989). By 1580, fashionable heels were popular for both sexes, and a person who had authority or wealth was often referred to as “well-heeled.” Read more click here

Source: Randomhistory.com

Catherine de Medici