13 Truly Bizarre Facts You Never Knew About Shoes
Who doesn’t love a few fun facts on a Friday—especially when shoes are involved? We recently stumbled on some strange and interesting footwear trivia that was too good not to share. From the meaning behind your shoe dreams to the origins of the wedge, keep scrolling for 13 conversation-starting facts shoes, glorious shoes!
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.
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.
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.
According to this study, the average American woman has at least 19 pairs of shoes in their closet. How many do you own?
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.
Ouch—can you image the pain before this brilliant modification?
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 the wedge shoe.
Say it out loud, Tev-AH.
Shop our top pick: Teva Original Universal Leather Diamond Sandals ($60)
Yes, buying those heels is totally justified, according to Suzanne Ferriss, PhD, editor of the book Footnotes: On Shoes.
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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Camille Over the Rainbow
More than a century later and women still love the versatile style.
Talk about a go-getter! Head here to shop Jimmy Choo’s best sellers!
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If we had to ballpark it, we would have guessed way higher, but this article reveals the real cost of Bradshaw’s beloved shoe collection.
Which fun fact surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments below!