The History of High Heels!
“The History of High Heels!” was written for BDSMforyou.nl by Mistress Moriah.
Wearing high heels seems almost inextricably linked to BDSM. We see both slaves and Mistresses wearing the most beautiful shoes, ranging from high, higher, to dramatically (even absurdly) high, where only the very tips of the toes touch the floor. It never seems high enough. Okay, high heels look sexy, but are they necessary for the BDSM experience? No. Not at all. High heels are beautiful, feminine, and sexy, but – apart from the high-heel fetishist – they do not contribute to the intensity of a BDSM experience.
Personally, they actually distract me; I have much more freedom of movement—and that allows me to immerse myself much more deeply in the role-play—when I’m not wearing them. But that’s just my personal opinion. If you can walk quickly in them, it probably won’t matter much. But did you know that high heels weren’t originally designed for women at all? They served a completely different purpose than just looking sexy!
High Heel Fetish
Women (or men) in high heels are, of course, always a beautiful sight to behold. The heel tenses the muscles nicely and makes the legs appear longer. Of course, “finding something beautiful” is quite different from having a fetish for high heels. There are people who get their (sexual) thrill from worshipping high heels. They’d love to touch the shoes, caress them, kiss them, lick them, admire them, perform oral sex on the heels, or feel them walking over them. It’s a tribute to beauty, sensuality, admiration, and desire.
A high-heel fetish is about more than a fascination with shoes; it involves emotions, sensuality, and aesthetics, symbolism, empowerment, reverence, and submission.
Beyond the sexual and/or fetish context, you can also admire and/or use high heels in other ways, such as:
- artistic expression
- personal rituals
- enhancing physical dominance
What is the history of high heels?
High heels have a rich and varied history dating back to the 10th century. Originally, they were designed for practical purposes rather than aesthetic ones. Persian horsemen wore shoes with heels to help them stay firmly in their stirrups while riding, which was essential for effectiveness in battle. This practice spread to Europe in the 17th century, where the idea of heeled shoes was adopted by the aristocracy as a status symbol. Both men and women wore high heels to emphasize their social status.
18th century
In the 18th century, high heels became politically and culturally charged symbols in Europe. They were associated with the aristocracy and extravagance, which ultimately led to their decline in popularity after the French Revolution, when excessive fashion was seen as a sign of corruption.
19th century
In the 19th century, high heels made a comeback, worn primarily by women, and became a permanent fixture of women’s fashion from that point on. In the 20th century, technological advances and the influence of fashion icons such as Marilyn Monroe and designers such as Christian Louboutin led to a massive diversification and popularization of high heels. These shoes have evolved from practical riding essentials to powerful symbols of fashion, femininity, and sometimes even controversy, given the debates about comfort and health that surround them today.
Types of Heels
Not every shoe is the same, and neither is every heel. Do you have any idea how many types of heels there are? A few will undoubtedly look familiar to you, but there are surely names you’ve never heard of either. Here’s a selection of the different types of heels. Ask the high-heel fetishist: “How many of these heels have you already had the pleasure of worshipping, and which ones are still on your bucket list?
Stilettos
A type of high heel with a very thin, long heel.
Pumps
Shoes with a low cut around the forefoot, usually with a closed toe and no fastening.
Block heels
High heels with a thick, square heel.
Wedge heels
Shoes where the sole tapers in a wedge shape from the forefoot to the heel, raising the entire foot.
Peep-toes
Shoes with a small opening at the toes.
Platform heels
Shoes with a thick layer under the forefoot, which increases the overall height of the heel but reduces the relative height compared to the forefoot.
Kitten heels
A short, slender heel, usually less than 5 cm high. This type of heel is ideal for people who want comfort but still seek a little height.
Cuban heels
A sturdy, mid-height heel with a slight curve at the back. Often seen on men’s boots and dance shoes.
Spool heels
These heels are wide at the sole and at the point where they touch the ground, but narrower in the middle, giving them an hourglass shape.
Cone heels
As the name suggests, these heels are shaped like a cone, wide at the sole of the shoe and tapering toward the ground.
Prism heels
These heels have three flat sides that form a triangular, prism-shaped column.
Sculptured heels
Heels that come in various artistic shapes, often very creative and modern.
Flare heels
These heels widen toward the bottom, giving them a retro look.
French heels
Also known as Louis heels or pompadour heels. Short, curved heels with a wide upper section and a rapid narrowing toward the bottom.
Comma heels
These have a curved heel resembling the shape of a comma. They are unique and can add a stylish twist to an outfit.
Hammer heels
These heels resemble the shape of a hammer and offer a striking, architectural look.
Corset heels
These heels feature a design resembling a corset, with ribbons wrapping around the heel that can sometimes be laced or tied.
Illusion heels
Designed to make the wearer appear to be floating, these heels may use transparent materials or be intentionally concealed to create a floating effect.
Armature heels
Often created by high-fashion designers, these heels feature metal structures that resemble works of art.
Interesting Facts About High Heels
Medical Concerns
Wearing high heels for long periods of time can lead to foot problems such as hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and even nerve damage. It can also increase the risk of ankle sprains and affect the back by altering the body’s natural alignment.
Louboutin’s red soles
One of the most iconic fashion statements in the world of high heels is the red soles of Christian Louboutin shoes. Louboutin came up with the idea to make the soles of his shoes red after seeing his assistant paint her nails red. He felt that the red sole added an element of allure to the shoes. Who would argue with that?
Legal Restrictions
In the past, there were legal restrictions on high heels. For example, in the 18th century, the Venetian state imposed limits on heel height to prevent women from towering too high above men.
Cultural Impact
In some cultures, high heels are worn by men during traditional ceremonies or performances. For example, in certain Spanish regions, men wear heels during traditional dances such as flamenco.
Record-breaking heels
The highest heels ever worn without support were 50 cm high, created by Dutch designer René van den Berg for a British woman named Miss Stacey, according to the Guinness Book of Records.
More information
What can you do with a trampling table?
What does it mean to have a foot fetish (foot worship)?
What is trampling, and how safe is it?
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Source
Text: Mistress Moriah
Image: 123rf.com
