Our undeniable love affair with shoes is intoxicating. We have boxes and closets and organizers full of high heels, flats, boots, shoe booties, cuffed sandals, this designer, that brand, that knock off, that steal. Red. Black. Matte. Patent. Croc. Faux. It just doesn’t end, nor do we want it to. And our obsession is perplexing at best to the men around us. But it’s a centuries-old love affair and it’s not all our fault!

Gladiator sandals are all the rage now, right? So think about the word gladiator for a second. Maybe you think of ancient Rome or Greece. Maybe you think Russell Crow (and he’s a Kiwi, not an Aussie). You’ve conjured an image of a flat, strappy sandal with some kind of ankle detail I’m sure. While shoes have been a necessity over time to protect against terrain and such, the gladiator sandals were created so Roman legions/military could travel with more ease on foot. They then became a status symbol. The higher the ankle part on the sandals, the higher ranking the official. The more colorful and decorated they were (for men and women), the wealthier the wearer.

Now, think of your Jimmy Choo pump. Now for my Dolce Vita peep-toe booties that I personally embellished with a metal cross… Money v. status v. perception has changed—somewhat. Today, it’s about the occasion, practicality and how you classify your style. What comes to mind when I say ‘if so and so loves…Doc Martens’, you think what? What of Ecco? Franco Sarto? Manolo Blahnik? A good deal? Consignment shops? Ah, but I digress.

So let’s think back even further in time—when Pharaohs ruled in ancient Egypt 1200 BC. (This is the first actual record of shoes although we imagine that our primitive ancestors must have used pelts, branches, grasses, etc. to keep their feet warm and somewhat protected.) The first Egyptian shoes were simply braided rawhide, hemp or papyrus soles with a tanned leather strap going across the foot. They were practical and became increasingly adorned with details as artisans honed their craft. Shoes became a symbol of wealth. Long pointed toes that curled up, (sort of like court jester shoes except your foot sat on top of the uncovered sandal and the point came from the shoe bed) denoted a king, prince or priest.

In Japan, shoes were specifically made to denote status or vocation and people were easily recognizable because of them. The most primitive was a Zo-ri, which was easily slipped off for going shoeless indoors.

Jumping to the 15^th century, some shoes became either ridiculously high or long. I mean ridiculously! While we’re seeing models fall on runways in epic proportions due to heels getting higher and higher, they’re still not 13” high; or boots (often metal) so long and pointy that during Elizabethan times laws were enacted to limit the over-the-end-of-toe length to 5½”.

From the 1600’s to the1800’s we saw such creations as the original ‘Oxford’. These were low-rise leather boots worn by students at the University of Oxford in England. Then there were the lavish details and architectural heels (so cool!) of the Georgian-style shoes of the 1700’s. During the early 1800’s waterproof rubber boots were invented and were popularized by Arthur Wellesely, the first Duke of Wellington. So, the ‘Wellington’ boot was born (Wellies as most Brits call them). Jumping forward a minute, during WWI, Wellies were the only boots deemed suitable for wearing in trenches. After WWII, whole families, farmers and laborers also wore them to keep their feet dry and their clothes clean. Now of course, they’re not just made by Hunter and come in black or dark green, but hosts of other colors and patterns from numerous designers—from skull prints to fuchsia polka dots to Burberry plaid.

Now back to the 1800’s. It was as late as the 1850’s—and you’ll love this—that a left shoe was finally designed differently from the right shoe! New machinery and equipment were introduced which helped revolutionize the design method of shoes especially as different styles became popular. Men’s shoes were low-rise pull-on boots with detailed, elasticized uppers for comfort. For comfort. That thing called comfort no less! The advent of the sewing machine in the 1880’s helped create beautiful lace-up boots for women with intricate lacy details, ties and tassels.

It was around the turn of the 20^th century the first leather alpine boot was made—complete with nails pointing out from the soles for traction. For the most part, the 1920’s through the 1960’s showed refinements and glorifications of centuries-old shoe and boot styles. Finally, they combined aesthetics with comfort and practicality for the occasion (sometimes). Think skinnier heels—eventually—and all those dancing shoes—for the stylish 1920’s flapper dresses to the two-tone and patent flats for sock hops. And where would we be without the white go-go boots of the 60’s or the simple suede sandal styles adorned with a self-made daisy chain? Make love not war, man. Then there’s the groovy, funky 70’s with patchwork platforms or wedges and shiny, glittery boots worn with polyester jumpsuits and bell-bottoms. And it’s the 80’s that get such a bad rap! Speaking of the 80’s, this is when brands seem to become really important. Think the materialistic yuppies: Volvo or Beamer, Platinum Visa or Triple-Studded Diamond Card, Dior or Oscar de La Renta. I remember Doc Martens, Candies, Cherokee, Converse and those jelly shoe thing-a-me-bobbies.

Were there really any ‘it’ shoes of the 90’s? Athletic shoes sure got lit up, pumped up and priced up. And for the 21^st century? We have more designers, brands and styles to choose from than ever. So, for the love of shoes girl, embrace your ever-lasting love— one, two or seven pairs at a time.

Visit Jimmy Choo for more info.