Move over Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton! It turns out that demand for top-of-the-line footwear isn’t a new trend. A 2,000-year-old shoe now on display at The Saalburg in Germany proves that fine footwear has been appreciated for thousands of years.
Shoes Were Status Symbols for Ancient Romans
The Saalburg is an old ancient Roman fort that is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes a museum filled with ancient items found nearby, including the 2,000-year-old shoe. Footwear was a status symbol in the Roman Empire.
“For women, decorative embroidery and patterns were often added to the shoes in addition to laces. Not only demonstrating the craftsmanship of the maker, these shoes helped display the wealth and status of the women wearing them. These thick-soled shoes would have been worn outdoors, with lighter sandals used indoors.” —My Modern Met
Gladiator Sandals Still in Style
The 2,000-year-old shoe was actually found in a well. It was then placed on display at the exhibit. The shoe, which is representative of ancient Roman footwear, includes a leather upper and a hobnailed sole.
Some of today’s shoe styles are actually modeled after ancient Roman footwear, including gladiator sandals, which are still “in style” today.
9 Super Cool Shoes Facts
Here are some fun facts about shoes that will make you look at footwear in a totally different light.
Ancient Greek Actors Wore Platform Shoes
During ancient Greek plays, serious actors would wear “platform” shoes, whereas comedic actors just wore plain socks.
Flip Flops Were Inspired by …
Flip flops, also known as zories, were inspired by the Japanese sandal, which was made of rice straw soles and fabric straps.
There’s a Reason for Your Shoe Addiction
If you like buying shoes — or shall we say are obsessed with buying shoes — there’s a very good reason. Buying shoes impacts a section of the prefrontal cortex in your brain called “the collecting spot.”
Men Once Wore Heels
Men were the first to wear high heels! In the 10th century, men need heels on their boots to ride a horse. It helped their foot stay securely in the stirrups while riding.
Why Are They Called Sneakers
Back during the late-1800s, people started calling tennis shoes “sneakers” because the rubber soles didn’t make a sound when people walked on them. So, they were able to “sneak” around without anyone hearing them.
How Many Shoes Do You Own?
If you think you own a lot of shoes, check this out: The typical woman in the U.S. own 19 pair of shoes, according to Life Buzz.
Who Wore the First Boots?
Queen Victoria had the first boots designed for her in 1837. By the mid-1800s, boots were the most popular form of shoe for both men and women in England.
The World’s Biggest Pair of Shoes
The Marikina Shoe Museum in the Philippines is home to the world’s largest shoes. They are 17 feet long and eight feet wide. The pair of shoes are so big that they can fit 30 people inside each one.
The Most Expensive Shoes Ever Sold
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You’d most likely recognize the most expensive shoes ever sold. They were worn by actress Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz … the famous ruby slippers. They were sold at auction in 2000 for $660,000.
