Some facts about shoe history: from ancient roman footwear to present days
Wearing favorite and hated shoes one often thinks when human began to use footwear at first. So, a little excursus to the history.
Antiquity
The ancient Greeks were sure that human perfection can be emphasized by cloths. Their fashion contained light, stole clothes. Their favorite footwear was sandals. It was needed nothing difficult to do them. They cut soles according to feet shapes and fastened straps to them. The straps were made of leather. The hunters and herdsmen wore leather boots with lacing.
Sandals made also the ancient roman footwear fashion. But it their footwear was heavier, more massive with thicker sole and metal decoration such as lion muzzles, wreaths and so on. Ancient roman footwear was the sign of various jobbery and plebeians wore simple sandals.
The footwear of III-VI centuries was characterized by the middle of sandals and shoes. The novelty was metal buckles.
The middle ages
In the middle of the 12th century a new Gothic style appeared. Its native land is France. So, gothic shoe is footwear oblong in shape that hides the foot length by two times. Such shoes were made from leather. Gothic style footwear was patina which was dressed in filthy weather.
Baroque
Speaking about footgear history it’s can’t but be mentioned baroque footwear style. Its representatives are boots made of leather, ribbons and even laces. They were rectangular with blunt toes.
18th century
18th century is famous for rococo style that appeared in France. Rococo footwear was made of colorful leather or glittering atlas. Shoe shape is narrow, with sharp toe and high heel.
19th century
This century didn’t create its own style of fashion but developed the old ones. Jackboots disappeared in 1830s. But hussar boots with 2 sutures along the top and boots with lacing appeared. 19th century is also a primogenitor of shoes with turning up toes.
20th century
World War I consequences caused Great Depression in Europe. That’s why the most popular color was black and brown, that were considered to be sport before. But gradually the colors began to lighten. Blue and beige footwear became popular. As far as shoe materials are concerned the most widespread were leathers made from reptiles, especially snakes and lizards. Shoe producers began to use zippers. A real novelty was narrow laces. With the “Beatles” appearing fashion houses began to create men high heeled shoes. A real thing of interest was expensive footgear material: ostrich, crocodile, python and fish scales.
21st century
Modern footwear tendency is to make as narrow and exquisite shoes as they can be. The most important is finishing quality. Shoes are becoming more laconic, natural and noble. Moccasins is considered to live for ever regardless of fashion.
How to choose right baby footwear?
Many parents have questions on the topic whether a baby needs to wear footwear or not. The specialists say that he should obligatory wear footwear but there are some important rules for parents to know.
Sole. The main principle is: the smaller a baby is the thinner and more flexible the sole should be. That’s why don’t forget to check sole flexibility choosing shoes for your baby. Avoid hard baby footwear. It will make your child fall more frequently.
Back. It should be rather solid. Push shoes back. If it is soft it will loosen and shoes will fall down.
Heel. Even the first baby footwear in which he will begin to walk should be with a small heel in order to prevent baby’s fall back.
Top and side footwear parts. They should fold easily when a baby makes a first step. Otherwise, baby’s foot wouldn’t be able to bend easily, that’s why baby footwear should be soft.
Footwear fabric. The best fabric is leather and sackcloth. It allows the skin to breathe letting the air out. That’s why synthetic fabrics don’t fit for baby footwear.
When should a baby begin to wear shoes?
During the period from 9 to 12 months a baby begins to rise to his feet and that is a signal of the fact that he needs shoes.
Why should a baby wear shoes?
Footwear protects tender baby’s feet from roughness surface, splinters and sharp things because a baby looks forward while walking.
Why shoes help a baby to walk?
Flat footwear soles give big steadiness to unsteady child’s feet.
How to define whether shoes are small for a baby or not?
Bent-under toes, corns, hollows and red friction tracks show that a baby has grown. Baby footwear should be changed every 3 months.
Here are some signs which define whether shoes are small or not:
• Toes place. When a baby is standing try to find by feeling his toes tips, pushing his footwear toes. The distance between his first toe and footwear border should make up 0.5 feet.
• Footwear top. If footwear is small the leather on the top footwear part should be tight
• Back. If back a little bit dashes against the heel at the external and inside footwear part your baby needs a bigger size shoes.
What Are The Secrets of Celebrity Shoe Sizes?
Due to charity bids, organized by the biggest Internet-auction eBay, the celebrities shoe sizes became known.
The leader is Shekel O’Neal, the player of the basketball team “Los-Angeles Lakers” who was included into the rating of “50 the greatest basketball players in NBA”. His black trainers of 25th shoe size were bought for $ 3000.
There were also proposed black leather boots of the 17th size of Mohamed Ally, the greatest boxer of XX century. One can buy them for $ 685.
Racing driver Dale Arnhard, perfoming at NASCAR championship wears 15th size shoes. His shoes are bought for more than $ 1500.
Clint Eastwood also wears 15th shoe size. His white trainers Nike Air, in which the actor shot in “Space Cowboys” are estimated in $ 350.
A famous actor and script writer Matt Daemon has 14.5 foot size. One is ready to pay for his brown leather high Reebok boots $ 330.
The greatest customers interest was caused by Tom Hanks black 11.5 Gucci boots. They are valued into $ 1500.
Pop diva Christina Aguilera is presented in the auction by her white leather high boots of 6.5 size. The singer wore this footwear during her summer tour “Justified and Stripped”. The maximal rate for boots is $ 1125.
How much is cost pink pointes which Natalie Portman wore. The size of toes is not indicated but it is known that they are childish.
Almost $ 600 is proposed for suède platform shoes which were owned by country-singer Wynonna Judd.
The diva of cinematography Helen Hunt wears 18.5 shoe size. Beige Manolo Blahnik shoes in which the actress shot in the blockbuster “What want the women?” are valued into $ 535. The star of the serial “Sex and the city” Sarah Jessica Parker also wears 18.5 shoe size. The actress is presented in the online auction by her golden sandals. The maximal sandal rate is $ 337.
Today more and more paparazzi shoot celebrities in their unique shoes. But today there is a question: do celebrity shoe sizes are really too small or they just don’t have time or taste? Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Ricci, Sharon Stone, Mariah Carey and others were seen to have wore very huge shoes with much free space. It looks ridiculous and horrible. Many doubt if it is a new fashion in Hollywood.
What are the best shoe factories in England?
In the Middle Ages Northampton became the most important center of raw and tanned leather in England. During the century there were cottage industry, but in the middle of the 19th century footwear manufacturer began to unit, buy machine equipment and open small factories. By the end of the 19th century machine made footwear had been presented on all efficient Europe fairs. Today Northampton is famed all over the world for its 7 outstanding shoe factories.
The Goodyear technology
The shoe factories in England are considered to be the best manufacturers of the classical English footwear in the world.
Goodyear technology footwear has been elegant, comfortable and practical for many years.
Here are some basic technological stages of the Goodyear shoe manufacturing:
CLICКING
The leather clicker should select the suitable only for a special model leather and click it with especial knives.
LASTING
It is the process of stretching the leather onto the special form - a boottree with special clamps.
MAKING
It is the process of combining the sole and heel together.
SHOE ROOM
The complete stage when various creams and polishing material are used to make footwear beautiful.
Firms-manufacturers
Crockett & Jones
The footwear Company Crockett & Jones was founded in 1879 by James Crockett and Charles Jones. Today it is still a private unitary enterprise. Its main and fundamental principle is the product quality and professional and individual service of every client.
Over a period of some decades Crockett & Jones basically produced footwear for many famous Fashion Houses. Every year sales were increasing. It’s not a surprise because the company manufactures many brilliant models of footgear with a great amount of boottree and mould.
The Crockett & Jones shop was open in London some years ago in the legend shoe Jermyn Street with a rich abundance of exclusive footwear. Even the Queen Elizabeth II is an admirer of its shoes.
Cheaney
Joseph Cheaney Company was founded in 1886. It is one of the best shoe factories in England. At the beginning of its work the fabric produced the footwear by the order of the most prestigious shops and brands of the world market under its brands. But in the 20th century the English factory began to produce the footwear under its own brand. Today Cheaney combine expertly the traditions of English foot gear manufacturing, the style of the past and modern tastes.
Cheaney Company presents not only classical models but modern footwear which is up to the requirements and tastes of today’s market.
Alfred Sargent
In 1899 Alfred Sargent, a shoemaker, founded the Company Alfred sergeant & Sons in the town of Rushden. By 1915 the manufacturing had been appreciably improved: there was a fabric, equipped with the last technique of that period.