The history of shoes has more than 10 millennia, and throughout the history of the case there appeared unusual in form, and sometimes quite awkward models. Modern designers annually surprise the world with new strange models of shoes that go beyond the usual understanding. In our selection the most unusual shoes in the world, which appeared at different periods in the history of mankind.
1
Kabqabs
In the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries in Lebanon, a very common type of shoe was made of wood, kabqabs, which were also called valine.
Strange shoes looked more like low stilts. Wealthy women decorated the kabqabs with mother-of-pearl, silver trim. Such a strange shape had practical applications, high platform shoes helped not to get dirty in street dirt.
2
Men's high-heeled shoes
Today it is not always possible to meet men wearing high-heeled shoes, but for France of the XVIII century this was a common occurrence.
Unusual men's shoes, according to documents, appeared at the court of King Louis XIV. It was this European monarch who was the first to wear high-heeled shoes. Over time, heels became a women's privilege, and men's high-heeled shoes with beautiful rag ties and ribbons are a thing of the past.
3
Pokkuri
Smoke or okobo was and remains the traditional shoe of the geisha girls, and in their form they resemble clogs, only on a very high platform.
Geisha shoes varied in color, younger students wore red ones, while yellow shoes went to those who had almost completed the course. Geisha clothes consisted of a long kimono, and a high okobo platform, reaching 14 cm, did not allow a kimono of expensive materials to get dirty when walking on the street.
4
Chopins
The Italian chopins, or as they were also called “pianella”, common in Italian cities in the XIV-XVII centuries, were equally unusual on a high platform. But interestingly, in the 30s of the twentieth century, unusual platform shoes returned to fashion.
The first choppers appeared in Venice under the influence of Asian fashion, and the height of the cork or wooden platform sometimes reached 50 cm. High shoes protected the hem of dresses from street dust and dirt, and also emphasized the high position of noble Italians.
5
Geta
Japanese shoes are also represented by such a common model as getes made of wood sandals on an unusual platform. They came to Japan from China, and quickly gained popularity.
They were worn both on a bare foot and wearing a specially sewn toe with a thumb cover. Geta, shod on a bare foot, emphasized the sexuality of Japanese women. In modern Japan, these shoes are worn during ceremonies and religious holidays.
6
Paducas
The oldest shoes of India were used mainly for religious rituals. Wooden sandals with a peg, with the help of which they were kept on the leg, were studded with silver, and sometimes made of ivory.
There were also studded padukas that the monks wore, thus, using self-torture, proving their loyalty to God.
7
Wicker Birch Bark Shoes
In Russia, woven shoes were quite popular, but at the very beginning of the twentieth century, Finnish women began to wear wicker birch bark bast shoes.
Very original, lightweight and practical shoes were used in bad weather as galoshes to protect boots and more expensive leather shoes. From Finland, bast shoes migrated to Sweden and Norway, but such shoes were enough for no more than a week.
8
Wooden wedding shoes
An amazing tradition originated in the French province of Ariege at the end of the 19th century. The fact is that before the wedding the guys made wooden shoes with high toes for their chosen ones.
It was believed that the higher and longer the sock, the more the man loves his girlfriend. The girl must have demonstrated unusual shoes during the wedding.
9
Shoes- "Lotus"
Since the 10th century, bandaging of the feet in girls has become widespread in China, as a result of which the foot is deformed.
Small legs after such a procedure easily fit in small original shoes, “lotuses”. They made similar shoes of various shapes and colors, and now they have gradually gone out of fashion, and you can only get them as a souvenir.
10
Pointe Boots
In the 80s of the last century, shoe designers in Japan began to produce unusual boots that combine traditional ballet pointes and high lace-up boots.
In such shoes, a feeling is created that a person is standing on toes. Naturally, it is almost impossible to move around in such shoes, but you can buy them now via the Internet.
11
Flat shoes
We move from historical models to the designs of modern designers, and we are the first to present shoes without heels.
Unusual women's shoes appeared in 2007, and designer Antonio Berardi introduced it to the world. Victoria Beckham gave a new impetus to shoes without heels, which was published in 2008 in the original creation of Berardi.
12
Sandals Mihai Albu
Romanian designer wedge sandals rightfully occupy a leading position in the list of the highest shoes.
In his creation, Mihai easily synthesized elements of the avant-garde with a non-standard approach to creating original women's shoes. His shoes have several soles, and sometimes the height of the products reaches 30 cm.
13
Shoes by Alexander McQueen
Another designer of women's shoes created unusual women's shoes that have a sloping nose and a high heel up to 30 cm.
It is difficult to imagine what position the foot is in such ankle boots on a high platform. The art of moving around such unusual shoes was easily mastered by the popular eccentric singer Lady Gaga.
14
Gangster shoes
But another popular singer Madonna flaunted at one time in unusual shoes, the heel of which was made in the form of a gangster pistol.
According to the singer, they accurately conveyed the explosive character of the popular performer, because she came to the USA from the homeland of the mafia - Italy.
15
Original sandals
In such light and beautiful sandals, you can hardly go to work or to shop every day. Their originality is that the sole is made in the form of foliage.
Unusual feminine sandals and gives a clasp made in the form of a butterfly or a blossoming flower.
16
Cyber shoes
The genre of fiction and cinema inspired designers to create such stylish cyber shoes.
The chrome-plated color and unusual shape emphasize the spirit of modern women who strive to be no worse than the stronger sex. Naturally, such shoes also need appropriate warlike clothes.
17
Spiky shoes
Fully studded, from toe to stiletto heels, shoes look intimidating, but through the spikes you can also see the elegant shape of a woman’s shoe.
You can admit that these are the most terrible shoes, but believe me, there are models that are more unattractive.
18
Giraffe shoes
When looking at such a creation of shoe designers, the name suggests itself. Shoes colored like a giraffe have a heel in the shape of the legs of this graceful animal.
Conservationists are unlikely to gladly accept such women's shoes, but there are lovers who, in order to stand out, gladly wear similar shoes for social events.
19
Cheeky Rhino
But this eccentric model cannot be called otherwise. A sock in the form of a rhino horn and a bold appearance will suit young ladies with a strong character.
An unusual model appeared in the early 2000s, but did not find a big response among fashionistas and critics of the fashion world.
20
Hinged
We will complete the selection with perhaps the most unusual shoes, namely women's sandals, the heel of which is made in a rather original form.
Naturally, it is difficult to move around in such shoes, and the practical meaning of such a form of sandals does not lend itself to a logical explanation.
So we presented a description and photo of unusual shoes. As you can see, the strangest shoes in the world are not very convenient for everyday use, and rather appear as a tribute to the traditions or national characteristics of a particular ethnic group. But here are modern models created by leading shoe houses, just the desire of fashion designers to stand out, surprising the world with strange forms and design of shoes.
And that is not all…
Below we have posted some more interesting models of shoes without a description:
Article author: Valery Skiba