The history of the appearance of modern boots goes back to the distant past. According to research by paleontologists, the first shoes appeared more than 30 thousand years ago in Europe. Representatives of ancient civilizations understood that walking barefoot on damp earth, hot sand or snowy plains was painful and uncomfortable.
Therefore, primitive people made something like modern slippers or sandals. In hot countries, the sole was made of papyrus or reed, and attached to the foot with straps made of natural leather or flexible plants. In places with a cold climate, people wrapped their feet with animal skin, fur inside, and any dried grass served as an insole.
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In the Middle Ages, shoes that were closed at the front and back were worn. The ancestors of modern lace-up boots were extremely unusual shoes with a long toe. They were created for the English king Henry II back in the 12th century. The fact is that the ruler had a huge disgusting growth on the big toe of his right foot, which doctors did not dare remove, and it caused outright disgust in people.The angry monarch ordered his shoemakers to sew shoes that were closed at the back and front, and at the same time make them very long and wide. To preserve his secret, Henry II legally introduced the fashion for an elongated cape among his subjects.
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Peasants wore shoes up to 15 cm long, knights - up to 30 cm, and nobles - at least 60 cm. In order not to fall and maintain balance when walking, shoes had to be stuffed with hay and tied with laces to the calf. By the way, the legendary expression “living in grand style” was first uttered by Henry II.
In the 15th century, boots with a rectangular toe appeared. The history of their creation is also connected with the French royal court. Monarch Charles VIII Valois had a physiological feature: he had six toes on his feet, so he was very uncomfortable in ordinary or even more narrow shoes. The royal shoemakers specially created boots with a rough square toe for him, so that the monarch’s feet would feel comfortable.
Boots in their modern form appeared in the mid-19th century and were created for military personnel. Comfortable high shoes with laces were intended for airborne troops and were made from pigskin. To this day, these unique boots, called berets, are extremely popular among military and civilian men around the world.
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Interesting fact: during the period of Prohibition in America (the first half of the 20th century), experienced smugglers selling alcohol illegally came up with the idea of attaching wooden items shaped like cow hooves to the soles of their shoes. This trick was done to divert suspicion from citizens breaking the law.
Today, boots are worn by men, women and children.The most popular is the model with laces and zippers. However, there are styles without lacing. Women's options come in wedges, platforms or heels. Shoes with pointed or square toes are a thing of the past.
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Today, the most current models are boots with a neat semicircular toe and low heels. This wardrobe item is made from leather - natural or artificial, as well as suede and nubuck. Winter models are insulated with fur.
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