Cowboy Boots

Around 1876, America's first cowboy boot was made by boot makers in Kansas.  They were very practical for riding horses in big cattle drives from Texas to Kansas.  The pointed toe slipped easily into the sturrups,and the heels helped the feet stay in the sturrups if the horse stopped suddenly.  Also, the tall boot tops protected against chafing,cactus, and rattlesnakes.  The earliest boots were made in either black or dark brown.

Manchu Woman’s Platform Shoe

Between 1880 and 1900 in Manchuria, North East China, platform shoes were made for Manchu women who were forbidden from binding their feet like other Chinese women.  The tapering sole wsa designed to give the impression of small feet like women would get from binding them.  The shoes even caused women to walk like they had very small feet.

Woman's Bound Foot Shoes

According to a legend, lotus or lily foot slippers date back to the 11th century in China when Empress Taki was born with deformed feet.  So she wouldn't be embarrassed, her father announced that only women with very small feet were feminine and desirable.  Women began to bind girls feet at age 5 to 7 years old.  It was painful, but in 2 to 3 years the size of the foot was gradually reduced.  The goal was having a foot only 3 inches long.

Pampootie

This is probably the earliest type of footwear made from a single piece of rawhide folded around the foot.  It was stitched with twine or leather thong.  The shoe was cut so the hair lay with the roots toward the heel and the ends at the toe to help grip the ground.

Men's Leather Sandals

Sandals are ideal for the hot regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.   The firm soles protect the feet, while the straps let air in and sand fall out.  For this reason, they have been the dominant footwear for centuries.

Pictures and information from  http://www.northhampton.gov.uk           Background curtsy of GRSites.com  

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