The Ultimate "HARDCORE" Shoe Appreciation Thread (Bespoke only)

[isshinryu101]



WOW! Bespoke Norvegese Russian Calf. Talk about one-of-a-kind! That braided side stitch just sets them off. Who is the maker?

 

[DWFII]



Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

This brings me to the question: Why do shoes have heels to begin with? Is it just because they make us taller, legs thinner, look better, or is there some sort of physiological benefit?

Seemingly since the 1500's its been to hold the rider's foot in stirrups. Its even been recorded as early as the 9th Century heels on shoes on horse riding warriors.

Ask any bona fide shoe historian...such as Dame June Swann, former curator of the shoe collection at the Northampton Museum and you will be told in no uncertain terms that there is no evidence...zero...for heels as we know them on shoes or boots prior to the last quarter of the 16th century. "If there is no evidence, it didn't happen." BTW, there is very little evidence that suggest that heels evolved to meet the need of horsemen...although this is certainly an attractive hypothesis and one I myself held for many years.Regardless of all the practical reasons that have been proposed...keeping the foot out of the mud, etc....heels made people taller--it was a fashion that never went out of fashion.

 

[DWFII]



It's because that's what we've accepted as normal for footwear. Sort of like how short hair is now considered normal for men - it had a purpose long ago, but serves no real purpose today.

From an ergonomic standpoint, heels are often not advisable. They can exacerbate certain leg issues. I personally have to make sure I only purchase shoes with modest heels as higher ones due to compartment syndrome. I still have flare ups if I find myself having to walk more than expected in a non-athletic shoe.

With that said, if you have healthy legs and do not intend to be particularly active in your shoes, wear whatever you think looks best.

I don't doubt that individuals with unique problems can find heels exacerbate those problems. But I have spoken to podiatrists and lastmakers and shoemakers about this very issue and any heel that is reasonable--under inch and a half in height---will not cause the normal foot or legs any problem. In fact higher heels can reduce the strain on the lower back and calves. People who wear cowboy boots or logger boots often experience more pain in the lower back and legs when they switch to romeos or moccasins on the weekend.

And heels in the one inch or lower range are near-as-nevermind inconsequential with regard to the effect they have on the foot or the legs or the spinal column.

 

[xzacx]



In fact higher heels can reduce the strain on the lower back and calves. People who wear cowboy boots or logger boots often experience more pain in the lower back and legs when they switch to romeos or moccasins on the weekend.

I'd guess it has more to do with what they are used to, than the higher heels actually helping. The orthotics I play basketball in have very small lifts, and if I ever don't play in them, I end up with a sore back the next day. When I first started playing in them, the opposite happened - my back was sore when I did use them. From my experience, that minor change in posture is all it takes, and once I'm used to one way or the other, that's what feels right.

 

[rjsphd]



WOW! Bespoke Norvegese Russian Calf. Talk about one-of-a-kind! That braided side stitch just sets them off. Who is the maker?

+1

 

[luk-cha]

WOW! Bespoke Norvegese Russian Calf. Talk about one-of-a-kind! That braided side stitch just sets them off. Who is the maker?

WOW! Bespoke Norvegese Russian Calf. Talk about one-of-a-kind! That braided side stitch just sets them off. Who is the maker?

+1

G&G bespoke!

 

[Cravate_Noire]

Without that Norvegese stitchting these would be for me too .

 

[luk-cha]



Without that Norvegese stitchting these would be for me too .

yea i might do a pair like that perhaps just a normal double sole

 

[Cravate_Noire]

Without that Norvegese stitchting these would be for me too .

yea i might do a pair like that perhaps just a normal double sole

Maybr that goes too far, but this could be the right type of model/leather for that triple welt thing....

 

[luk-cha]

Without that Norvegese stitchting these would be for me too .

yea i might do a pair like that perhaps just a normal double sole

Maybr that goes too far, but this could be the right type of model/leather for that triple welt thing....

nar the triple is , for me at least one step further than these

 

[fritzl]



nar the triple is , for me at least one step further than these

these are kind of triple?

 

[rabiesinfrance]

I think she's wrong.

I do hate the...because there's no evidence, it must be so...argument. The correct answer is that we should keep an 'open mind' when it comes to such things, and wait for the evidence to turn up. Problem is that academics make careers out of there being no evidence, and their credibility depends on it. It breeds an arrogant attitude.

http://blog.aurorahistoryboutique.com/tag/medieval-history/

 

[rabiesinfrance]



Ask any bona fide shoe historian...such as Dame June Swann, former curator of the shoe collection at the Northampton Museum and you will be told in no uncertain terms that there is no evidence...zero...for heels as we know them on shoes or boots prior to the last quarter of the 16th century. "If there is no evidence, it didn't happen."

BTW, there is very little evidence that suggest that heels evolved to meet the need of horsemen...although this is certainly an attractive hypothesis and one I myself held for many years.Regardless of all the practical reasons that have been proposed...keeping the foot out of the mud, etc....heels made people taller--it was a fashion that never went out of fashion.

Forgot the quote.

 

[rabiesinfrance]

 

[rabiesinfrance]



Ask any bona fide shoe historian...such as Dame June Swann, former curator of the shoe collection at the Northampton Museum and you will be told in no uncertain terms that there is no evidence...zero...for heels as we know them on shoes or boots prior to the last quarter of the 16th century. "If there is no evidence, it didn't happen."

BTW, there is very little evidence that suggest that heels evolved to meet the need of horsemen...although this is certainly an attractive hypothesis and one I myself held for many years.Regardless of all the practical reasons that have been proposed...keeping the foot out of the mud, etc....heels made people taller--it was a fashion that never went out of fashion.

Didn't take long did it?

I remember this painting. Fat guy in white, bottom left. He's wearing boots with heels.

[ATTACHMENT=93]Bruegel, Pieter Senior. Feast of Fools 1561.jpg (488k. jpg file)[/ATTACHMENT]