The Heels Dictionary

Heels started all the way back around 4000 BC in Egypt, where peasants wore bare feet and only royalties and high class wore elevated shoes to keep their feet clean and pure. Then it got very popular amongst tragic actors in Rome around 200 BC. It wasn't until the 16th century that it was properly invented, when in 1533 Catherine de Medici decided to opt for a 2 inches shoes to wear in her wedding marrying to Henry II, the Duke and future King of France. Since then, heels started to be a fashion icon in Paris and an indication in defining the rich from the poor. Heels at the time were only worn by powerful men and women in the French court.

Today, there are many different types of heels and sometimes we would get confused between a platform and a stiletto. What are the differences?  I have done a little research on this and please keep on reading....

Stilettos


A stiletto is basically just a type of heel that is thin and long ranging from 1 - 10 inches (2.5 - 25 cm). The purpose of the stiletto heels is to give the illusion of a longer and slimmer leg, and a smaller foot. They also alter the wearer's posture by flexing the calf muscles, making the the bust and buttocks appear to be prominent. To be worn comfortably, one may need to have heels inserts.




 

Kitten Heels


Kitten heel is a type of stiletto but shorter and usually range from 1.5 - 1.75 inches (3.5 - 4.75 cm). They still give the attraction and appeal without adding much height, a very popular style for tall women. They are also more comfortable than stilettos because they don't have to carry as much body weight.

 Cone Heels
Cone heels shaped much like a cone and are rounded heels that start wide at the sole (circular - as shown in pictures) and taper down to a point. They are actually comfortable because the wider the heels the easier it is to walk in.

Prism Heels

Prism heel look squar-ish and has 3 flat sides.

Spool Heels

Spool heel is the type of heel that is wide at the sole, narrow in the middle and gradually become thicker again towards the end.

Wedge

Is the type of heel that has only one piece of material that runs from the sole to the end, serving as both sole and heel.




I think I have covered pretty much all the heels that are in the present market today. If there is any types of heels that I have not covered, please leave me a reply to this post and I will do.