For centuries hand-stitched leather shoes were the only type of shoe available.
The earliest shoes were for hunter-gatherer males, who wanted to be shielded from rocks, waste and the cold – with sandal types discovered in warmer climates. And, even as recently as Victorian times, there had been very little choice in the style of womens shoes.
A wide choice wasn’t required because ladies wore long dresses which hid their shoes. Shoes available to girls in this period were based totally on the boot, the clog and also the dress slipper. The invention of the stitching machine led on to mass production of boots and the reduction in price of such shoes. The boots were also popular with those outside of the working classes who had busy social calendars, as the boot offered a hard wearing option.
The clog was made of wood and leather, offering more comfort than the boot and more practicality than the dress slipper. During Victorian times, clogs were utilized for dancing, as well as everyday wear.
The dress slipper was worn for special affair. They were not water-proof Nevertheless, and so were useless for anything other than indoor use or a formal engagement. Made of satin of diverse colors and carrying detailed designs to match the dress a lady was wearing, these shoes were more comfortable than boots.
Along came the invention of court shoes, pumps, heels and trainers.
During the early 20th century and thru the reigns of King Edward VII, King George V, King Edward VIII and King George VI, womens attire changed allowing trousers and shorter dress and shoes changed with it. In addition to leather, fabrics like cotton, suede and velvet were used. During this time leather shoes became more trendy than leather boots, and clogs and satin slippers died out.
The late 20th century and the reign of Queen Elizabeth II saw the upward push of feminism and both a backlash against shoes built to please men and a rise in the selection of shoes as demanded by girls. Feminism also saw an increase in cosy shoes, which led on to improvements comfortably in all types of footwear.
Advances in the production of rubber, plastics and manmade clothing, along with developments in industrial adhesives have seen a broader range of shoe styles available and cheaper production methods employed.
Hand-stitched leather shoes, once the sole type of shoe available, are now the preserve of the rich.