Bizzare Facts

Today, **high heels** are inextricably linked to women's fashion, symbolizing femininity and glamour. But their origin story is surprisingly masculine and martial. The high heel was not invented for the runway, but for the battlefield. In 10th-century Persia, cavalry soldiers wore shoes with heels to help lock their boots into the **stirrups** while riding horses. This allowed them to stand up in the saddle and shoot arrows with greater stability and precision.

When Persian diplomats visited Europe in the 17th century, the style caused a sensation. European male aristocrats adopted the look to appear taller and more formidable. King Louis XIV of France, who was only 5'4", famously wore red-heeled shoes to boost his stature and signify his royal status. The heel was a symbol of power, wealth, and masculinity.

It wasn't until later that women began to adopt the style as part of a broader trend of appropriating men's fashion. Over time, men abandoned the heel (viewing it as impractical), and it became exclusively associated with women. So, the next time you see a stiletto, remember: it started as a piece of military hardware designed for mounted archers.