Feet and footwear : a cultural encyclopedia - Internet Archive

Throughout history, footwear has been used to communicate who we are.

The 2009 book , by cultural anthropologist Margo DeMello, serves as a comprehensive guide to the historical and social significance of what we wear on our feet. More Than Just a Step: Lessons from Feet and Footwear

We often view shoes as simple tools for protection or style. However, Margo DeMello’s encyclopedia reveals they are complex that reflect our status, beliefs, and even our survival. 1. Shoes as Symbols of Status and Gender

Footwear choices have often been governed by strict social—and sometimes legal—rules.

These backless slippers were favored by ancient Patricians in Rome. By the 17th century, they became highly adorned public fashion statements for wealthy French women. 2. Footwear, Taboos, and the Law

While today they are largely a symbol of femininity, in 17th-century Europe, they were originally a sign of masculinity and high social status for men.