Stiletto Shoes
Stiletto Shoes are some of the sexiest styles of footwear available to women in the UK today. They are not a new form of shoe style by any means as stiletto shoes have existed for quite some time. There are reasons for its apparent popularity so let’s define what a stiletto shoe actually is.
What Are Stiletto Shoes?
A stiletto shoe is any form of footwear that features the stiletto heel. The stiletto heel was traditionally a high heel that was very thin and made out of metal instead of wood. Stiletto’s that are below a height of 2.5 inches are commonly referred to as kitten heels. It is widely believed to be named after the stiletto dagger which was a piercing weapon that featured a very thin blade.
History Of Stiletto Shoes
The original stiletto heel was developed as an alternative for traditional high heels back in the mid 20th century. The person credited with the invention of the modern stiletto heel is a Frenchmen of Italian descent, Andre Perugia. Born in the late 19th century, he began his career working in his father’s workshop which made hand-crafted shoes. It was around the 1940’s that he first started designing stiletto heeled footwear.
This was a result of the technological innovation when it came to metal goods. By using metal in the basic heel design, he discovered that he could create a thinner and higher heel that was strong enough to bear the weight of a human being. Back then, most heels were created from wood or other materials that simply wouldn’t work as a thin heel. However, the one that truly designed the modern stiletto heel was Kristin Wagner.
Stiletto Shoes Today
The world of women’s fashion has evolved greatly since then but the humble stiletto is still very much in use today. Many styles of shoes sold on the market today feature the stiletto heel. As such, the term “stiletto shoes” actually applies to a wide range of women’s footwear today. These include boots, court shoes, sandals and platforms. Additionally, such heels are usually made for mid to high heel applications beyond a height of about 3.5 inches. Having said that, they are usually one of the more challenging styles of footwear to walk in as well.
Advantages Of The Stiletto Heel
The heel itself is revolutionary in just one aspect – it slims down the profile of the shoe. Other than that, it is essentially a high heel that offers elevation to the shoe itself. For those that like high heels with a very slim profile, these are the shoes for you. They are very common particularly on platform heels, kitten heels as well as court shoes.
Disadvantages Of The Stiletto Heel
There are a host of problems that arise due to long term usage of high heels like the stiletto. It can affect many areas of the human body including the foot, ankle, calves, knees as well as the back. The stiletto itself puts tremendous strain on the heel due to the amount of weight concentrated on that area. This can lead to problems with the Achilles tendon over the years. Additionally, the basic high heel (regardless of the heel type) also requires the wearer to lean back to attain a straight posture. This can affect the back especially over time.
But it also affects the toes as they are shoved into the front of the shoe due to the angle between the heel and front of the foot. This brings about an ailment called hammer toes. Simply put, stiletto shoes generally forces the wearer to walk and stand in an unnatural position. Over the years, it is sure to cause problems. Such problems are not as apparent on kitten heels. For that reason, you do not want to be wearing these types of shoes too often despite its great style. One way to limit the damage experienced is to limit their use to special occasions only. Your foot and body will thank you for it in the long run.