Discover four hundred years of fabulous footwear with this miniature visual history.
Christian Dior famously noted that “the real proof of an elegant woman is what is on her feet.” From the surprisingly sexy boots hiding under Victorian crinolines to the glittering T-strap heels worn by flappers dancing the Charleston, a woman’s shoe choice has long been far more than a mundane practicality. Indeed, a beautifully shaped shoe can be a statement of wealth, style, or sexuality―and often all at once.