The Long (and Fascinating!) History of High Heels

Dating back to 3500 B.C., Egyptian murals showed some of the earliest signs of heeled shoes (OK, they were really just low wedge sandals). Worn by men and women, they were a fashionable way to set the nobility apart from the lower classes who went barefoot.

"Kothorni" or "buskins" were platform shoes with high wooden cork soles that were particularly popular among actors, who wore them to differentiate the importance of each character. These heels were also associated with prostitution, as women in the trade would also wear them.

Courtesans of both sexes wore shoes — dubbed "chopines" — with a high wooden or cork heel to keep their garments out of the mud or dirt. Beyond their practical purpose, the heel's height also indicated the social status of the wearer, with some styles rising to about 30 inches and requiring special assistance in order to walk in them.

During the Renaissance, heels weren't just for fashion. They were also becoming important recreationally. Men and women wore low-heeled shoes while riding horses to keep their feet from slipping in the stirrups.

With the invention of the modern sewing machine in 1844, the popularity of the heel spiked. Why? The new innovation allowed for a more diverse range of intricate styles and designs, such as the pair pictured above.

Invented by French shoe designer Andre Perugia, stilettos made walking and balancing easier because they were made with a more supportive metal shaft. The design also gave a woman's legs a sexier look — which explains why it took the fashion world by storm when they were introduced.

Kitten heels were originally intended to be formal footwear for young girls because higher heels were deemed too promiscuous. However, they were so comfortable, they became wardrobe staples for women and girls of all ages.

We can thank the rise of the disco for this groovy platform style. Surprisingly, the chunky heel was comfortable for walking around and dancing the night away. Fun fact: Both women and men (à la John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever) wore them.

This decade marked the rise of the high-end shoe designer. And the era's poster boys were most definitely Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin. Sarah Jessica Parker popularized Blahnik's feminine and chic styles while playing Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City (remember the blue satin heels she wore to marry Mr. Big?). And there's no way you could miss spotting Louboutin's ubiquitous red soles on any city street.

Just when you thought the heel couldn't get any taller or fancier, the 2010s has given rise to the statement shoe. Shoe designers such as Charlotte Olympia and Sophia Webster (left) have set the stage for whimsical creations that could double as pieces of art.