Espadrilles, a popular, casual shoe usually worn by women in warmer areas of the United States, have their origins in peasant shoes. These shoes have been worn since the 1300s in the mountains that separate France and Spain. Named after an indigenous plant used to make rope in the region, espadrilles are defined by their soles. Modern espadrilles may replace this rope with rubber molded to achieve a similar look as a way of increasing durability and allowing more variants in the shoe styling, including higher, wedge-shaped heels.

For a peasant shoe, the espadrille has come a long way. Today's top designers such as Donna Karan produce espadrilles and they can also be readily found in lower-end shoe shops and clothing stores. Espadrilles were particularly popular in the United States in the 1970s and do see a periodic resurgence. Because of the non-leather materials, espadrilles are not costly, allowing many women to own multiple pairs in multiple styles. These includes the previously mentioned varying heel-heights and those with laces that generally attach at the back of the shoe that can then be wrapped around the ankle for support and shoe security.

The top of an espadrille is usually made of canvas and in a closed-toe style, but current variations also reveal the toes or feature cut-out heels for summer wear. Additionally, while the modern espadrille is usually only worn by women, the shoe has historically been for both genders, and men's styles are seen in warmer climates and periodically as a trend.

While espadrilles originated in Europe, 90 percent of these shoes are now produced in Bangladesh because of the popularity of using jute to make the shoes. Jute is a strong and cheap, natural fiber, that has a naturally bright white color, making it easy to dye or present as is. Like most modern shoes, a process that was once entirely done by hand is now largely done by machine. To increase durability of the shoes, rubber, foam or wooden heels are often added to the espadrille, improving on the simple concept from which they originated.

While production has largely moved, small espadrille producers still exist in the Catalonia region of Spain.

Learn how the modern pointe shoe evolved.

Pointe shoes, or toe shoes, are dancing shoes that were designed specifically for ballet dancers. The design of this shoe protects a ballet dancer from injuries while they are en pointe, or poised up on their tip toes. Generally pointe shoes are for ballerinas, however, when male dancers play female roles, such as the ugly step sister role in the ballet Cinderella, they too will wear pointe shoes.

The Origins of the Pointe Shoe

Since women weren't allowed on stage until the end of the 17th century, pointe shoes evolved slowly from men's traditional dance shoes, which were heeled. The first evolution of women's ballet shoes came when the traditional heel was removed. The flat-soled ballet shoe allowed female dancers to attempt more complex jumps and turns. After the French Revolution the flat-soled ballet shoe became the norm and the ribbon laces that we are familiar with today were added to the shoe's design. Pleats were also added to the shoe under the toes so that a dancer could have better grip and control over their feet.

En Pointe

En pointe work really didn't appear until 1795 when Charles Didelot invented the "flying machine" which lifted dancers up onto their toes. The effect of this machine was so well received by audiences that ballet choreographers tried to incorporate pointe work into their dances. By the early part of the 1800s the technical skills of dancers had improved to a point were the flying machine was no longer needed. Marie Taflioni was the first to dance en pointe without mechanical assistance.

The Modern Pointe Shoe

The toe box, which is the defining component of the modern pointe shoe, was designed after modifications used by Anna Pavlova, a famous 20th century ballerina from Russia. The tapered shape of her feet and her high arches made her particularly prone to injuries. In order to protect herself from injuries she would often shape an old leather dance shoe sole into a box and stuff it into her ballet shoes to provide a little extra support. This was the inspiration for the modern pointe shoe.

Many modern shoe designs are based on modifications made to a normal or special shoe design by a non-shoe maker. These modifications are made to make the shoe more user friendly or more fashionable. What modifications have you made to your shoes that others might appreciate?

The penny loafer originated in the 1930s when loafers of several varieties were fashionable as men's and women's shoes. Somewhat unbelievably, this fashion started with the Spaulding company when they produced shoes styled after those of Norwegian dairy farmers that had appeared in an article in Esquire Magazine. However, it wasn't until a few years later that the penny entered the equation.

In trying to add his own unique stamp to the popular loafer, John Bass began producing loafers he called Weejuns that had a strap across the top of the shoe for style purposes, as a loafer is traditionally defined by having no buckles or laces. This strap had a split design that was supposed to look like a pair of lips. This opening in the strap was soon used as a way to add a decorative touch to the usually simple loafer and small objects, such as pennies, were often placed there. A stylistic embellishment that had once been peculiar to Bass's shoes became synonymous with an entire fashion.

When pay-phones were still ubiquitous and hadn't yet been raised to a quarter, the penny loafer was often the source of funds for an emergency phone call home, especially for school-age children or teens on dates.

Penny loafers have been unique since their inception in that they have moved between both form and casual fashion and men's and women's fashion. Acceptable for both genders and viable with everything from a suit to jeans and even shorts, penny loafers have long made a smooth transition from work to play. The unique style of the vamp of the shoe that gives them their name has even been transplanted onto a high-heeled (and therefor non-loafer) version for women.

For men, the penny loafer has generally been worn without socks since the 1960s. This style was particularly popular then, and in the 1980s, where the penny loafer with a suit but no socks was emblematic of preppy fashion. It was seen commonly on style-leading celebrites of the time, such as Don Johnson of Miami Vice.

Women more commonly have worn their loafer with socks or stockings, but as bare legs, even with skirts, have become more acceptable for women, their loafers have also become fashionable as a sock-free shoe, at least in casual circumstances.

Despite its presence in many fads, the penny loafer is a simple, classic and understated shoe with practical, long-term fashion value.

Every now and again, when I want to feel sexy, I'll put on a pair of high heels, shunning my flats and heading out in true style. Shoes with high heels have been around since the 1400s (for the mundane task of keeping one's feet out of the mud), but it wasn't until Catherine de Medici came from the Italian peninsula to France in 1533 that high heels became a fashion statement.

At first, only the wealthy and the powerful wore them. But as raw materials became more affordable and consumer spending became possible for more and more people, high heels became more popular. Assembly line and mass production techniques that make use of machines mean that just about anyone can buy and wear high heels. There are even high heels designed especially for men who cross-dress or are making gender switches.

It is possible to fabricate high heels out of nearly any material: leather, wood, fabric, plastic, cement and glue, nails, metal and even paper. High heels are designed by independent fashion designers, or created by designers hired by the manufacturer. Most begin as a prototype that can be referred to throughout the process. Embellishments can be added after the basic construction is finished.

Mass-produced high heels are made using computerized assembly lines. This makes it fast and easy to create high heels. Metal dies are used to cut the pieces out of leather or some other material, into the proper sizes. Sometimes, in the more high-tech factories, a laser beam is used to cut the materials. The next machine uses thermal cement to hold the material over a sort-of mold called a last on a temporary basis. This is done while the sole, upper and heel are created and shaped. Finally, another machine puts the shoe together. The final steps are labels and embellishments. Then another machine wraps the high heels in tissue paper and puts them in a box.

It is interesting to note that these days, most of the heels themselves are actually made from plastic. This is one of the essential ingredients to a cheap shoe that is widely affordable.

Slippers are one of the oldest forms of indoor footwear on record. Slippers are so common that they can be found in just about every culture around the world that uses footwear. While slippers are common in many cultures, the term "slipper" was actually derived during the late 15th century in England from an Old English word for "slip." This term was selected because slippers are loose fitting and are "slipped" onto the foot.

Design of the Slipper

Slippers come in all shapes and sizes. Many slipper designs are modeled after fashionable shoe designs. You can find flip-flop style slippers in Asian cultures, clog-like styles in European cultures and moccasin-style slippers in North American cultures. Today the design options for slippers are nearly unlimited. In fact, there are entire sections of department stores and shoe stores that are dedicated to slippers.

Modern slipper designs include a collection of old time favorites like the bunny slipper, ballet-style slipper and moccasin-style slipper. They also include seasonal designs like rubber pool and deck slippers for summer use and plush character slippers for the holiday season. In addition to the basic slipper models and the seasonal slipper models, designer slippers also appear in stores seasonally. Just like other footwear, designer slippers fade in and out of style rapidly, with a new style hitting the hot list about every four to six months.

Historical Slippers

As mentioned earlier, slippers have been a part of fashion in a large number of cultures. However, some cultures developed slippers earlier than others. For example, slippers have been documented in India as far back as the 12th century during the Southern Song Dynasty. These slippers were made with a leather bottom and either a thong to fit between the toes or a leather strap to hold the slipper on the wearer's foot.

Conclusion

Slippers are comfort items that have a practical use. They keep our feet warm and protected while inside a house, and they keep dirt and debris from being trekked into a home. While traveling the world keep your eyes and ears open, as slippers are called by many different names. For example, in Scotland they are sometimes referred to as "baffies." In other parts of the world they are referred to as house shoes, flip flops and sandals.

Discover the history of the infamous flip flops, a summer shoe that is more of a lifestyle than simple beachwear.

Flip flops are one of the simplest forms of footwear in the world. They are popular with beachgoers, vacationers, the military and people looking for inexpensive footwear. They are constructed using a simple rubber sole with a Y shaped thong that slips between your toes. With a price of around a dollar, it is no wonder why this form of footwear is popular, however, there is more to this shoe that first meets the eye.

History of the Flip Flops

Modern-day flip flops are an evolution of a traditional Japanese sandal called the zori. These sandals had a woven sole and were used for basic footwear. The idea for the modern flip flop most likely developed when servicemen returned to the United States, Australia and New Zealand from Japan after their tour of duty during World War II. The basic design was kept in tact until the late 1950s when a New Zealander named Morris Yock patented the plastic flip flop design that we know of today. However, there is still a bit of controversy over whether Yock should be credited with inventing the flip flop or whether the title should be given to John Cowie.

Practical Footwear

Flip flops have many practical uses. For example, in many countries with low GDPs, flip flops provide an affordable form of footwear that helps to protect the soles of people who would otherwise have to walk around barefoot. The military has also adopted the flip flop as a tool to help prevent the spread of foot fungus in communal showers. Gyms, beach showers and school shower rooms have also begun to recommend that people wear flip flops to prevent the spread of foot fungus and other contagions that thrive on the wet floors.

Flip Flop Pitfalls

While the flip flop is easy to wear, there are many hazards associated with them. On the mild side of the hazard spectrum is a high risk for developing blisters between your toes where the thong rubs. On the severe end are sprained ankles, which are a common problem associated with flip flop use.

After weighing the pros and cons of flips flops, it is easy to see that they work great for occasional use, but generally are not as a great full time shoe.

Look out your window. What is the weather like today? Is it rainy, snowy or sunny? In today's world it really doesn't matter what the weather is like because the roads are paved, there are sidewalks and most of the destinations we need to get to are climate controlled. However, during the Middle Ages things weren't so accommodating. In fact, a rainy day could turn the roads into a quagmire where you could easily lose your footwear, a tire or worse. Because the rustic condition of many roadways and walkways, people in the Middle Ages wore Pattens. Pattens were slip on clogs that protected the wearer from muddy paths and were the precursors to galoshes.

Pattens and the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages shoe fashion was somewhat unreasonable for the road conditions of the day. One of the most popular shoes on the market during this era was a thin soled pointy toed shoe that was impractical for walking outdoors. To protect these fashionable shoes Pattens were worn over them. Pattens elevated the wearer so that they could keep their feet out of the mud.

Pattens came in three basic designs. The first design used a flat wooden sole that elevated the person above the mud. This design often included a hinge to make flexing the foot easier to do while wearing this type of Patten. The second design used an iron or wooden wedge as the sole of the Patten. This wedge also elevated the wearer's feet above the mud. The third Patten design utilized many leather laminates to create a flat soled platform.

The Patten was a very useful tool during the Middle Ages, and its popularity kept it in fashion well into the 15th and 16thcenturies. However, in later years Pattens made from willow, alder and poplar were replaced by leather Pattens.

17th Century Pattens

The design of the Patten evolved steadily over the years, and by the 17th century the flat soled and wedged shaped Pattens were replaced by circular hoop designs. These Pattens included a wooden platform that strapped on to a person's foot, a metal plate that was nailed to the wooden platform, a metal circle that sat on the ground and two metal bars that connected the metal plate to the metal circle.

During the 17th century many advancements were made including thicker soled boots for men and better street construction. These advancements meant that men generally did not need to wear Pattens any more, however, lower class men still wore them. From the 17th century on, Pattens were marketed almost exclusively to women.

The Extinction of the Patten

Like any type of footwear, Pattens were eventually phased out of existence. Paved roadways made Pattens obsolete, as did advancements in men's and women's foot fashion. For example, in men's footwear, Pattens were replaced by thicker soled boots during the early part of the 17th century. Women's footwear evolved somewhat slower, however, by the end of the 17th century women had the option of wearing galoshes instead of Pattens.

Today there are dozens of footwear choices that will keep your feet dry and warm. There are work boots, galoshes, Uggs, moon boots, cowboy boots and hiking boots. It may be hard to believe now, but even these modern footwear designs will most likely be replaced in the future with new outdoor footwear options.

For a young shoe, the sneaker has a rich history. While the first rubber-soled shoes appeared in the mid-1800s, it was not until nearly the end of the 19th century that sneakers as we understand them today began to appear. These, made by the Goodyear rubber company, were canvas and rubber creations that were soon branded as Keds.

Keds became the first athletic shoes to be mass-marketed in the early 1900s and earned the shoe style the name "sneakers" thanks to the imagination of an advertising executive who noticed how little sound the shoes made. During this time period, many other sneaker brands we know today emerged including Converse and Adidas.

Sneakers don't become an actual fashion statement until the 1950s, when they became the emblem of rebellious teens, cute cheerleaders and James Dean. Because the shoes made from canvas and rubber were relatively cheap at this time, sneakers were a fairly easy status symbol for teens to obtain.

While sneakers were becoming a part of fashion, they were also doing a great deal of their development thanks to science, and efforts to produce better athletes by building better shoes. The emergence of the Nike brand and its marketing campaigns featuring the successful athletes who chose the shoe were a major part of this.

By the 80s, new shoe technologies were constantly being promoted including air soles and high tech support systems and materials that made the shoes lighter, more comfortable and provided both greater bounce and traction to athletes. The diversification of sneaker styles also accelerated at this time, with a wide variety of shoes designed for specific sports as well as a broader variety of shoes specifically for the fashion conscious. Many of the classic sneakers from the 1980s are valuable collectors items today.

Today, sneaker technology continues to improve as style continues to vary. Retro-styles harking back both to the 1950s and 1980s are popular, as are new, sleek high-tech basketball shoes, and more flexible sneakers intended for yoga but highly comfortable for walking. Limited edition sneaker releases are also common and has helped grow the collector's market. Additionally, shoe endorsements from both athletes and pop stars continue to keep athletic shoes from of mind for a wide range of costumers.

Finally, while sneakers remain a distinctly casual fashion choice, today they can often be seen worn with suits or even tuxedos. Leather and patent leather sneakers even exist for suchoccasions , combining casual style with elegant materials for an edgy look.

Since high-heel, wedge sneakers have never really caught on, despite being produced periodically, sneakers at formal occasions have remained largely, but not entirely, the province of men. As flat shoes for formal events become increasingly acceptable and common for women, we can probably expect to see the sneaker increasingly paired with dresses.

Handmade dress shoes as opposed to mass produced dress shoes

When it comes to dress shoes, especially for men, you can benefit from choosing handmade dress shoes over those that are mass produced. Handmade dress shoes are generally made from higher quality materials, as well as with process that includes work done by craftspeople. Mass-produced dress shoes, on the other hand, are usually made from inferior materials that are put together quickly, and without much care, in a factory assembly line. The process for making dress shoes is one that is fairly interesting.

Materials

Materials for handmade dress shoes are usually of high quality. Leather can be made from cow or pigs. Rather than using the lower-quality stiff leather - or even synthetic leather - that is used for mass-produced dress shoes, handmade shoes are made from softer leather. High-quality leather is actually a little bit soft and has some "give." It is usually a little pliable. Many people find this surprising, because they are only exposed to the lower-quality stiff leather that mass-produced shoes are made from.

Leather isn't the only material used in the construction of dress shoes. Sometimes, dress shoes are made with alligator skin or snake skin. This can give the dress shoes an exotic and unique look.

Goodyear Welt Construction of Dress Shoes

The main process used in making men's dress shoes is called Goodyear Welt. This process does take place in a factory, but instead of a factory like those that make mass-produced shoes, this type of factory features craftspeople that make the shoes to a high standard and oversee the cutting, sewing and other aspects of construction for each individual pair of shoes. Machines are used, but there are skilled operators running them.

Goodyear Welt construction of dress shoes consists of an upper that is specially shaped. Then a leather strip (called the welt) is sewed to it, holding the upper to the inner sole and the upper sole. A cavity is formed during this process, and then it is filled with a material made from cork. This cork material is flexible and resilient. Finally, the sole is attached. Goodyear Welt construction usually leads to dress shoes that are comfortable, flexible and quite durable. Additionally, the sewing, and the process used, makes for dress shoes that are more ventilated, allowing them to be more comfortable throughout the day.

Custom Dress Shoes

It is possible to have custom dress shoes made by hand. In this process, a pattern of your foot is used to design a dress shoe that offers optimum comfort and support for your unique foot. Additionally, custom handmade dress shoes are made from the finest materials (you can often help pick them). They are usually more durable than more cheaply made mass-produced shoes. Additionally, if you know you will be on your feet more, you can get added cushioning built into your handmade dress shoes. So, even though you pay more for handmade dress shoes, they often last longer - and look better - than your average mass-produced dress shoes.

The construction and wearing of various types of shoes and sandals goes back thousands of years. Our modern shoe owes a great deal to technological advances in construction and manufacturing made in the 19th century: these include foot forms called 'lasts' used to make right and left shoes (shoes were essentially identical - and not very comfortable - for each foot prior to the differentiated last); special sewing machines for attaching the sole to the upper; and the rubber sole, so popular in today's athletic shoes.

Today, shoes that once took days for an artisan to make can be produced in an hour thanks to these and other technological advances. How the modern shoe is constructed depends to a certain degree on the type of shoe being built. Whereas, once there were just a few types of shoes available, such as sandals, work boots and court shoes, today there are shoes designed for hundreds of different purposes in a nearly infinite array of styles. The construction process for an athletic shoe that may involve lots of high-tech materials differs greatly from that of a woman's high heel which has its roots in the court shoes of Europe. Similarly dance slippers, work boots and men's shoes all have construction variations unique to them.

But, at the end of the day, a shoe is a shoe is a shoe and some aspects of their construction remain nearly universal. Like clothes, shoes are made from patterns, and the shoe construction process begins with the mechanized stamping and cutting out of pattern pieces from leather and the other materials used. These patterns can be cut out with either metal dies or, increasingly, computer-controlled laser mechanisms.

Once the pieces of a shoe have all been cut out from the pattern, a machine places each piece over the correct area of a shoe-form or last. The pieces are then cemented in place to hold them steady. This stage of cementing is essentially temporary, as stitching is then added to truly secure and shape the shoe. High heels are generally made in three separate pieces: the sole, the heel and the upper, while flat shoes can be constructed in two pieces because their heels offer less structural complexity and may be solid leather while the heel on a woman's pump is often made from plastic and then covered with leather or other appropriate material.

Athletic shoes, with their increased use of high-tech materials are also often made in several segments but can include hot material being extruded onto a form, as opposed to traditional cutting and stitching. The key sections of the shoe are then joined together using both glues and nails, tacks and stitching, as the shoe's structure requires. A completed shoe is then stamped and labeled for size and brand.

As much as advances in shoe construction technology continue to be made, the shoe construction process will continue to take its cues from traditional styles and construction techniques which have persisted through reinvention across multiple cultures and centuries.

Now that Memorial Day has passed and we're officially in the summer fashion season sandals are the main footwear choice for most of us in the Northern Hemisphere. This should hardly be surprising because not only are sandals comfortable, their ancient. In fact, many of the earliest shoes we have historical evidence of were made in this style. Sandals have been found as part of ritual burials and were even depicted in prehistoric art. In fact, many of the styles of sandals popular today have endured for thousands of years thanks to their simplicity and grace.

The earliest sandals were all-purpose shoes created by our prehistoric ancestors. By the time of the Greeks and Romans, sandals, while still ubiquitous, were constructed from a variety of materials and available in an array of styles. The "thong" or "flip-flop" seems to have emerged in Egypt, although the style was popular throughout the ancient world. Later the Roman empire gave us everything from the practical sandals of a working man, to dress sandals for women and highly durable sandals for warriors. In Japan, resilient and surprisingly light-weight wooden geta that towered as high as twelve inches elevated pedestrians above the mire of the public streets.

The sandal and its many sub-genres has continued to diversify in the modern era. Where sandals were once a casual-only statement and flip-flops were strictly for the beach, discussion on appropriate sandals for the office can now be found in the pages not just of fashion magazines but also of mainstream newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal.

Today sandals are made out of an ever broader array of natural material such as wood, leather and silk, and increasingly synthetics that allow for more support, cushioning and structure. We have sandals for the beach, boardroom and ballroom as well as the hiking trail, the running track and the gym. And because many sandals are easier to construct than closed shoes, their affordability means most people own multiple pairs.

This year's sandal trend, which started to make its appearance last summer, is a revived gladiator sandal. Some of these shoes have open toes, while others are woven over the toe and merely open on the sides, making them much cleaner for city wear. Heights vary too, with the straps and buckles ending at the ankle or in some cases going as high as the knee; luckily for us modern technology builds a zipper into most of today's sandals in this style, making them much quicker to get on and off.

When it comes to sandals it seems likely that we'll keep doing what we've already been doing for thousands of years -- copying the past and enhancing it with modern improvements in efficiency and comfort. As for style, it looks like the ancients had it covered.

From 5" wedge heels to pencil-thin stilettos, women teetering on today's lineup of pumps and high heels are busy trading fashion for comfort - and may be trotting on the edge of disaster.

From 5-inch wedge heels to pencil-thin stilettos, women teetering on today's lineup of pumps and high heels are busy trading fashion for comfort - and may be trotting on the edge of disaster.

Creating an illusion of long, model-like legs is just one reason why many favor the high heel over flats. Shoe manufacturers continue to design women's shoes with this 'need' in mind; still, it's a balancing act that few women really master, and most risk the health of their legs in favor of the latest fashionable pair. While kitten heels are making a comeback on the fashion circuit, the high heel reigns supreme on runways around the globe. Is comfort a factor in the design of these eye-catching shoes? Not likely.

Why the High Heel?

High heels have become the shoe of choice for shoe mavens in the last 60 years, but the stilettos and high heel pumps have become the epitome of shoes for females since the late '80s. It's the shoe that not only makes the legs appear longer but also changes the posture of the wearer, makes the feet look smaller and defines the glute muscles to create a trim, tight and toned look - and all without pantyhose and shapewear. Is it any wonder that women opt for the super high arch?

Some of the world's most fascinating pumps can be found in museums and emporiums of famous Italian shoe designers in Europe. These pumps weren't meant for walking - just admiring from afar. They're designed for maximum eye-appeal with super-sculpted arches, bright patent leather designs and even trimmings such as fur, sequins and rhinestone embellishments. Since the trends take the forefront of design, the comfort factor usually ceases to exist - few women care to admit how comfortable these shoes really are. Today's inspired designers are capturing the essence of the too-tall heels for their own creations.

Designers Who Embrace the High Heel Trend

Take the works of Vince Camuto, for instance; the collection includes a range of booties with stiletto appeal and a peep toe design, a 4-inch heel that's skinny enough to require some practice sessions before trotting out on the pavement.

Giuseppe Zanottikeeps things in line with sexy pumps and wedges with a fresh, modern twist. From cow-print Mary Jane pumps with a super skinny high heel to fur-trimmed boots with extra height, this is one designer that appeals to women of all ages and tastes - as long as they're willing to trot along with a few extra inches.

Alexander McQueen offers plenty of unique styles and designs fresh from the runway, a mix of classy, feminine, eye-catching styles with 4-inch+ heels more often than not. From strappy sandals for special occasions to basic pumps for the office, the styles from this designer are sure to turn a few heads on any given day.

A quick glance at the latest fashionable pumps shows plenty of awe-inspiring designs but few are designed with comfort in mind. As long as women willingly squeeze into a pair of 5-inch+ heels that make them feel great and look 10 pounds slimmer, shoe manufacturers will continue to churn out fresh designs with the latest trends and styles in mind.

Learn how loafers developed from the Native American mocassin shoe design.

Many styles of modern footwear evolved from ancient or primitive footwear designs. The loafer, for example, which has been a popular casual-dress shoe since the 1930s, actually evolved from the Native American shoe called the moccasin. The moccasin was popular with many tribes in the United States because it allowed the wearer to feel the texture of the ground while at the same time protecting their feet from sharp or coarse terrain, as well as from extremely hot or cold ground temperatures. The word "moccasin" was derived from the Algonquian word makasin, which simply means, shoe made from deer skin.

The Birth of the Loafer
While the design of the modern loafer is modeled after the Native American moccasin, the first loafers were actually based on pictures published in 1932 or 1933 in Esquire of a Norwegian slip-on shoe worn by a dairy farmer. These pictures inspired the Spaulding family, who had ties to the leather and lumber industry, to create a slip-on shoe called a "Pony." By 1934 a bootmaker from Maine named John R. Bass modified the slip-on design to include a strap that crossed the vamp and that was capable of holding a coin. This was the birth of the Penny Loafer. However, instead of a penny, a dime was usually carried in the woman's loafer so that she could call home if her date got too fresh.

The Fashion of Loafers

Loafers were such a versatile and comfortable shoe that they were worn by both sexes as both a casual and a dress shoe. Women's loafer styles tended to revolve around the basic penny loafer design, however, tassel-topped loafers also were fashionable for women. When women wore loafers they were usually paired with knee socks, especially during the 1950s and '60s.

Men tended to wear tassel-topped loafers instead of penny loafers. College men during the '60s and '70s tended to wear loafers without socks, especially when tramping on campus, when going out dancing or just wearing them with a pair of jeans. The tassel-top loafer eventually became a fashion symbol for the legal profession when they became a staple for lawyers' wardrobes. In this case, a dark dress sock was paired with the loafer.

Learn all about shoelaces and how they added to the development of foot wear.

The shoelace is one of the oldest components of footwear. However, while it is presumed that even cavemen used some sort of shoelace to keep their footwear on their feet, evidence of this is missing because most laces were made from materials that were biodegradable like leather, plant fibers and sinew. What we do know about the history of the shoelace is that they were an important part of human migration and survival.

As Far Back As We Can Go...History of the Shoelace

One of the earliest pairs of shoelaces ever found was found on a Bronze Age man called Otzi the Iceman. Otzi, who lived over 5,000 years ago, had boots that were remarkably advanced for the Bronze Age. They were made up of a leather shell, internal insulation and a pair of shoelaces made from string composed of lime bark. This example of early shoelaces is probably a very good representation of how laces were used by early man to bind materials together and to secure footwear to people's feet.

The development of shoelaces was probably one of the first technological advancements made by humans. There are several reasons why early humans needed a shoelace. First of all, because they didn't have thick pads on the soles of their feet they needed an artificial foot pad that would stay in place and provide protection from sharp rocks, cold weather and other hazards. Secondly, as humans migrated away from the comfort zone around the equator, climate became a serious issue that posed a threat to their survival. As they crossed into colder climates they needed footwear that could be stuffed with insulation like fur and bound tightly to their legs to prevent snow and water from filling up their boots. Just think, without shoelaces, humans most likely would never have survived their migration into Asia and Europe, and most likely would not have survived the last Ice Age.

History of Modern Shoelaces

While a primitive shoelace has existed since prehistoric times, the shoelace that we know and love today wasn't developed until about the 1100s. The Museum of London has several specimens of early 12th century shoelaces that were designed to work in tandem with eyelets or lace hooks. The development of this modern shoelace system made it possible for shoe and boot designs to evolve. Shoelace systems allowed shoes and boots to be mass produced in standard sizes, as opposed to being custom made for each person. This advance was made possible by the lacing systems ability to tighten a shoe or boot as much or as little as needed to fit the person's foot, ankle and calf perfectly.

The next major advancement of shoelaces was the addition of synthetic fibers to the shoelace. Synthetic fibers allowed shoelaces to be modified to compliment the design of the shoe. Generally, synthetic fiber shoelaces looked better than natural fiber laces because they didn't fray as easy and they could more easily be died. Synthetic fiber shoelaces also tended to last longer than natural fiber laces did, making them a better investment for shoe owners.

One of the biggest advancements in the shoelace's design was the addition of shoelace tips. These tips, which could be made from plastic, brass, copper or some other type of metal, made it easier to thread shoelaces in shoe eyelets. These tips also helped to prevent fraying of the shoelace and helped to maintain and improve the overall aesthetics of the shoe lace.

Shoelaces have played an important role in human evolution. Just think what the world would be like if the modern shoelace had never been invented. For example, just think how sports would have been affected if athletic shoes did not have shoelaces. Also think about how sports' records and performance would have been affected without lace-up shoes. It's not a pretty picture, is it?