Shoelandia

The first shoes ever made have been dated back to about 40,000 years ago according to historians. Of course we can safely assume they didn’t look anything like the heels you saw on the high street last week, but they were shoes none the less. 40 000 years ago, shoes were merely a means of protection for the foot and were completely practical. By the middle Ages, the look and the feel of the shoes improved (according to our perception of what good shoes look like) and they were made with more care and designed to fit the foot more comfortably. Technological advancements of the 20th century led to the development of better shoes in general and more aesthetic women’s shoes, in particular. A mix of cultures and a global trend of sharing styles and designs began which led to the onset of shoe fashion and the shoe industry.

A significant reason for the change in style of women’s shoes over the years is the gradual transformation in the purpose of wearing shoes. Changes in the social, cultural and economic milieu of the society and civilization has led to the steady change in the purpose of being well-shod from just protection, to functionality and practicality, to mix of style and sensibility, to style statement, appeal and simply shock value as depicted in celebrity women’s shoes today.