In the same way that a good coat in winter or a well-curated wardrobe are essential, shoes are that essential item to do practically anything. We do not go out without them and we even use them inside the house, all to protect our feet from any external threat. It is clear that it is almost impossible to have pairs of all designs because it is usual to opt for those that fit our lifestyle. You probably don't own a pair of flats if you farm, for example, let alone a giddy pair of high heels. However, each type of footwear fulfills its daily function of completing our outfits when the occasion calls for them. After knowing the history behind the most iconic bags, we delve into the origins of the most essential accessory. This is the 'ABC' of shoe types. What is your favorite?

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stilettos

Worn by both genders until the late 18th century, the heel fell out of favor with men when it became associated with feminine frivolity. So they grew taller, held back only by the limitations of the technology of the day. Around 1940, through the work of Salvatore Ferragamo, Roger Vivier and André Perugia, the stiletto was finally born, named after a fine Italian knife. New techniques invented for crafting aircraft carriers were applied to the construction of this shoe: the use of aluminum and injection molding to fuse metal and plastic made it possible to raise the heels to dizzying heights, supporting the arch of the foot without adding too much pressure. on foot. Due to her status as a sex symbol, it was Marilyn Monroe who put them in trend under the principle that this footwear stylized the figure and increased its attractiveness. However, she also limited movement, which is why she had numerous detractors - active women in working life and housewives with conservative morals - until the 80's, when stilettos became a symbol of empowerment and sensuality.

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combat boots

The Dr. Martens 1460 boot is named after the German physician Klaus Maertens, inventor of the orthopedic shoe that became his prototype. In 1945, when he was working for the German army, he injured his ankle and devised an alternative to cumbersome military boots during his recovery. The result would be an air-cushioned honeycomb sole and supple leather. Many English workmen adopted the boot for its low cost, comfort, and durability. In fact, prior to 1966, only mail carriers, police officers, and factory workers wore the now-iconic Dr. Martens. Pete Townsend, of The Who, began wearing them and they invaded the mod scene, although soon it would be the skinheads, radical descendants of these, who would appropriate this rocker shoe to emphasize their working class pride. As different subcultures adopted the boot, its meaning evolved: from being a standard component of punk fashion, which led to its gradual acceptance in America, to its adoption by the grunge movement in the 1990s. Today, they're one of our go-to charms for wearing with jeans, floral dresses, and just about anything in your wardrobe.

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loafers

Over the years, this formal shoe has earned the adjective 'posh' for its association with academic settings. It is, in fact, a central element of school outfits, a trend that has resurfaced strongly in recent seasons. What few know is that its original creators were not university students or royalty but Native Americans. Its name derives from 'masakin', which in Powatan Algonquian language means shoe. They were made of leather, with a hard sole and were used only by men. Sebago was the first firm to take this folkloric design to introduce it to the popular market, in the 1940s, and later Italian manufacturers began to make their own versions in finer and softer leather. It was in the 70's, however, that this unisex shoe made its way into the women's wardrobe. In fact, Gucci's popular Horsebit loafer, adorned with her signature buckle, was specifically launched in 1968 and quickly achieved success as women's definitive entry into the workforce.

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mules

This term, of French origin, is used to designate slingback shoes, which have their origin in slippers or Ottoman slippers. From the 17th century, with the expansion of trade, Eastern culture progressively influenced the West to the point of introducing the so-called 'Turkish fashion' into the clothing of the elites, this being a basic of royal fashion, which led from Louis XIV and Madame Pompadour to Marie Antoinette. In materials such as silk or leather, the slingbacks featured rich embroidery and ostentatious appliqués, although they were intended to be worn almost exclusively indoors. In fact, its design carried a powerful erotic connotation for women, by leaving the ankle uncovered, something innovative for the time. It was not until the 70's that we discovered its condition as the ideal mid-season shoe, a condition claimed at the end of the 90's and currently, in full fury due to the so-called Y2K fashion.

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espadrilles

It is believed that the espadrille had its origin in the Egyptian sandal, which was later inspired by the Romans to make a covered slipper and protect the foot from the sun and heat. In Europe, they have been documented since at least 1322, the year in which a document written in Catalan describes espardenyes (espadrilles). Especially in the territories of the Crown of Aragon, the Basque region and, outside of Spain, in the southern part of France. In the 60's, with the increase in tourism on the Costa Azul and as a consequence of the 'opening' project of the Francisco Franco dictatorship, the use of espadrilles expanded, which went from being the traditional footwear for farmers, artists or soldiers in the hot months to consolidate as the favorite summer shoe to this day. Around this time, Yves Saint Laurent incorporated espadrilles with heels to his catwalks in Paris, making them the latest trend in international fashion.

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ballerinas

Around 1730, Marie Anne de Cupis de Camargo made history by dancing in flat-soled shoes. Previously, ballet shoes always had a heel and a buckle, but as ballerinas became stars around the 19th century, they were modified to give a light feel. The Italian Salvatore Capezio, the main shoemaker for ballet dancers, was in charge of distributing it in the United States for apprentices and professionals. However, recognizing that they could be adapted as everyday wear for modern women, it was designer Claire McCardell who commissioned Capezio to add a hard sole to her 1941 collection. Her version facilitated the spread of a new shoe for life. women, as it provided ease of movement while respecting the stylistic codes of the time. Brigitte Bardot wore them in And God Created Woman (1956), fascinating her beatnik followers. Although the popularity of the dancer declined due to the rise of high heels, high boots and platforms, Diana of Wales reinserted them in the trend paronama at the end of the 80's.

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bluchers

It's hard to believe because of its handcrafted and elegant design, but it is another shoe design of war origin. The name of this shoe comes from the surname of its creator, the Prussian Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, a soldier who lived between the 18th and early 19th centuries, a turbulent time in the history of Europe, plagued by conflicts. The purpose, therefore, of the bluchers was to assure soldiers of sturdy footwear made from traditional cowhide, steer and calf leathers that would withstand long walks, so that even today's models are made to last and to be worn well. daily and uninterrupted. They are often confused with the so-called Oxfords, so named because they are the favorite footwear of wealthy British academics, but the bluchers contain open lapels and a moldable design, more foot-friendly, since their English version was not exactly intended for work heavy.

clogs

The archetypal clogs are the Dutch klompen, adopted for centuries by farmers, laborers, and peasants as sturdy footwear that protected the feet from wet weather due to its composition of wood, a low-cost and durable material. This humble shoe, like many others, made its entrance into fashion in the 1970s. With their thick wooden soles, clogs fit in with the maximalist footwear trends of the day, with the Swedish traskor model being the most popular of all time. all, with its instep made of leather and studs fixed to the wood. Simultaneously in the United States, the rise of yoga and fitness has led to a heightened awareness of our posture and the dangers of wearing the wrong shoes. The clogs proved to be modern and ergonomic, softening the impact of walking on hard surfaces with uniform support for the entire foot. Like the platform shoe, the clog eventually fell out of style, but today, women connoisseurs love it and hate it in equal measure.

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cowboy boots

Tracing its origin is difficult, even for historians, as many say that Spanish foreigners who worked in colonial Mexico raising cattle would have carried this tradition of the rigid and ornate boot to Texas. It is also thought that the first to wear a similar model were the Huns, who arrived in Europe from Central Asia around the fourth century. The English would perfect this model in 1642, when Thomas Pendleton made up to 600 pairs of boots for the army and courtiers. Over the years, it would evolve to be more durable and rigid for everyday use by farmers, ranchers, and cowboys. The decline of the Wild West in the decades of the 30's and 40's, product of the Industrial Revolution, made them go into oblivion until its great rebirth with the popular western films of John Ford and, later, the spaghetti westerns. John Wayne or Elvis Presley would be just two of the many pop icons that would wear cowboy boots as part of their identity and would promote new models in different colors and patterns, transforming them into a trendy shoe to wear every day.

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Camping boots

Although it is common to hear that cowboy and jacket are synonymous, they refer to two very different types of footwear, although with a common history. These are much less rigid, with a slightly higher heel, and are considered the successor of the equestrian boots used by the military in the 19th century. Its cane reached the knee and could cover it, depending on the design, to protect the legs when mounting the horse. In Europe, they gained popularity for their convenience for working in the fields and dealing with cattle without being stiff or uncomfortable. They differ mainly from western boots in this aspect, since the jackets lack decorations or embroidery and have always maintained their quality of a simple shoe and proof of everything.

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