We all know that a great pair of heels can make you feel amazing — confident, sexy, and just a little bit powerful. But have you ever wondered where high heels actually came from? Here is every crossdresser's favorite fact: high heels were originally designed for men (riding horses).
From the Battlefield to the Ballroom
The most logical explanation historians have found is that heels were first created for riders. Around the same time saddles began to include stirrups, riders in Persia began wearing heeled shoes to help keep their feet stable in the stirrups. This gave them balance and control on horseback — which meant they could carry weapons and tools in their hands instead of clinging to the reins.
When European visitors encountered the Persian cavalry, they were impressed — not just by their strength and skill, but by their style. The heel quickly became associated with power, masculinity, and status, and began to appear in European courts.
The High Heel Takes Europe
By the 16th century, heels were no longer just about practicality. They became a status symbol — a way of showing off wealth and privilege. They weren’t exactly comfortable, and that was the point. If you could afford to wear shoes that weren’t made for walking, it meant you didn’t have to walk far at all. Someone else carried your things, or perhaps even you.
At this point, it was mostly wealthy men who wore them. Renaissance paintings often show noblemen in beautiful heeled shoes — sometimes with red soles, a colour reserved for the upper class.
The Shift to Femininity
Over time, society began to shift. As men’s fashion became more focused on comfort and practicality, women — who were forced into very narrow roles — began to adopt heels as symbols of femininity and beauty.
By the 17th and 18th centuries, women’s heels were elaborate works of art made from silk, brocade, and even jewels. They weren’t just shoes; they were statements. The famous “Louis heel,” named after King Louis XIV, was about two to three inches tall and curved to emphasize the arch of the foot.
And of course, we can’t talk about heels without mentioning Marie Antoinette, who was known for her exquisite (and extensive) shoe collection. Some of her heels reached up to four inches — a bold height at the time that symbolized luxury, excess, and eventually, the divide between the people and the monarchy.
The Fall and Rise of the Heel
During the French Revolution, heels fell out of favour. They had become too closely tied to privilege and inequality. But by the Victorian era, heels made a modest comeback — shorter this time, about one or two inches, with a focus on elegance and refinement rather than extravagance.
As industrialization made mass production possible, heels were no longer just for the rich. Middle-class women began wearing them too, and the high heel became a staple of everyday fashion.
The Modern Heel
By the 20th century, everything changed again. The 1950s gave birth to the stiletto — a thin, sky-high heel that became a symbol of glamour, sexuality, and empowerment. Think Marilyn Monroe, standing tall (literally and figuratively) in her iconic heels.
Today, heels have truly transcended gender, class, and occasion. They can be dressed up or down, worn by anyone, and serve as a form of self-expression. What started as a tool for riders has become an enduring symbol of confidence, identity, and beauty.
Whether you wear them for height, power, or pleasure, one thing’s certain — high heels have always been about more than just fashion. They tell a story of change, rebellion, and individuality that continues to evolve with every step we take.
