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The 1700's Mens Shoes
The men would wear shoes that were polished and made of leather. They typically had a heel on them. They were usually black, medium heeled and pointed and prominently displayed a big shiny silver or gold buckle. -
Types of Heels in Europe
Three different heel types developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. The Italian heel was tall and spiked, like a stiletto. The French heel was of mid-height and curvaceous and later became known as the Louis heel; and the English heel was thicker and generally low to mid-height. -
1700-1792
The 18th Century woman needed shapely and richly lavished shoes. High heels were a must,and embroidered silks. Large buckles topped them off along with metallic braid in silver and gold. After the French Revolution in 1792, shoes styles changed dramatically. Heels disappeared and expensive silks were replaced with more affordable and practical leathers. -
1720-1740 Straw shoes European
Paper upper solidly embroidered with mica held in cloisons formed by plaited and netted straw in conventional floral motif. Pointed toe. Green silk covered Louis heel. Leather sole. Pale green silk binding at edges. White silk insole, red silk lining. Condition: heavily soiled, some splitting silks. -
The 1750
The French, or Pompadour heel, was named after Madame de Pompadour, mistress to King Louis XV. The narrow, curved heels were difficult to walk in, but nevertheless made for a fantastic boudoir shoe.The style spread from Paris across Europe. -
1789 Men's Heels
In France, men’s heels disappear. Men complained that they were necessary to anchor down the new long trouser strap, so a small half-inch to inch high heel was added to the shoes. This is the heel that remains for standard men’s dress shoes today. -
Pumps
These were low cut pumps with ribbons to cross and tie around the ankle. -
1835
In 1835, the promenade clog with a patent cap and quarters appeared. This overshoe was hinged across the ball of the foot to make walking easier. -
The 1840's Going flat Square-toed slippers
Revolutions in America and France and the rejection of royalty, the heel on women’s footwear became lower and lower at the beginning of the 19th century, until it disappeared altogether. Popular styles were wore square-toed slippers with ribbon ties, forerunners of the ballet slipper. -
1850 The Return of Heels
After the slipper had died out, heels started to bring up, to 1/2 inch in 1851 and 21/2 inches by 1860. During this period the “classic women’s court shoe” — what Americans would call the “pump” — emerged. The versatile style, like this suede leather court shoe from 1900, was widely worn and advertised. -
1860
Until 1860, the vast majority of footwear was some sort of boot. The side lace cloth top was the first seen for popular wear. This boot had a patent cap, was heelless, and could have as many as sixteen lace holes. 1860’s, the front lace was in fashion, but it was soon rivalled by the popular button boot. -
1870
By 1870, shoes began to have a rather broad toe, rounded at the corners. -
19th century
Brass heel pieces began to appear in the later half of the 19th century, which supported even higher heels. -
The Stiletto in 1953
Christian Dior brought back French shoe style after WWII, lifting the heels on court shoes and making them more ornate.
Shoe designer Roger Vivier, who worked for Dior, took credit for inventing the stiletto heel, using plastic innovations to create a slender heel of incredible strength — which he called “the needle. -
Marquise
The 18th century style shoes “Marquise” are made of an exquisite, top quality, smooth leather, in a dust lavender color, and despite being slightly pointy, are comfortable to wear. The large, curved tongue is double colored, the outside in dust lavender, and the inside in plum. The tongue’s shape is accurate for the middle 18th century, and was worn by gentlemen who really wanted to be noticed.as most of the heels of this period were styled.
