Feb 21, 2020

12 Facts About Shoes You Didn't Know—Until Now

by Dale Arden Chong

If you’ve ever learned about the high heels that Louis XIV donned in the halls of Versailles or how the iconic red sole of Christian Louboutin’s shoes came to be, then you already know that shoes have a long, vast (and surprising) history. To show you just what we mean, we rounded up some of the most interesting facts about shoes that were simply too good not to share.

From what it means when you dream about a stylish set of pumps (and really, who doesn't?) and the cost of the most expensive shoes ever sold to the origin of wedges and shoe sizes, this particular fashion category comes with tons of fun facts worth keeping in your back pocket. Whether they come up at your next trivia night or you’re looking for a unique conversation starter, you won’t regret having these top of mind.

Scroll down to see 12 intriguing facts about shoes below, and then, while you’re at it, shop for your next favorite pair, too.

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@natashandlovu

According to The New York Times, in the late 1800s, people started using the word sneakers because the rubber sole allowed you to “sneak” around without making a sound.

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@shhtephs

In the early 1300s, Britain established the first means to measure shoe size. King Edward II declared barleycorn as the basis for shoe measurement. He ruled that the length of three barleycorns were equivalent to one inch, making this the standard for sizing.

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@aimeesong

For centuries, heels signified a high social standing rather than gender. It was also crucial for men riding horses to have a heel on their boot in order to stay in their stirrups.

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@styleheroine

According to this study, the average American woman has at least 19 pairs of shoes in their closet. How many do you own?

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@bettinalooney

Dorothy’s iconic ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz naturally and rightfully so earn this top spot. The original pair sold at an auction in 2000.

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@madelynnfurlong

Ouch—can you image the pain before this brilliant modification?

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@nycbambi

Due to the trade close Italy experienced in the 1940s, steel was no longer available, so designer Salvatore Ferragamo experimented with new materials, thus creating wedge shoes.

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@alyssainthecity @emilisindlev

Yes, buying those heels is totally justified. According to Suzanne Ferriss, Ph.D., editor of the book Footnotes: On Shoes, shoes are a collector's item, which means that buying a new pair stimulates a specific area in your brain's prefrontal cortex.

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@nnennaechem

Apparently, dreaming about shoes can signify whether you’re feeling well-grounded, or may indicate your level of self-esteem. Interesting, right? For more details about shoe dreams, head here.

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@camillecharriere

According to the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, shoemaker Joseph Sparkes-Hall created elastic-sided boots for the queen to slip on and off. The style evolved into what is known today as Chelsea boots. More than a century later, women still love the versatile style.