When we think of high heels today, we picture fashion runways, red carpets, and evening wear. However, the history of this iconic footwear is surprisingly rugged. Far from being designed for modern aesthetics, high heels were originally invented for a very practical, military purpose.

The story begins in 17th-century Persia, which is modern-day Iran. During this era, the military might of the Persian cavalry relied heavily on horsemanship and archery. Persian cavalry soldiers wore heeled boots because the heel served a crucial functional role. It helped lock their feet securely into stirrups while riding at high speeds. By keeping their feet firmly anchored in the stirrups, soldiers could stand up in the saddle, maintain superior balance, and shoot arrows with incredible accuracy while on the move.

As Persia sought to build diplomatic and trade alliances with the West, Persian diplomats traveled to Europe, bringing their heeled riding boots with them. European aristocrats quickly took notice of the footwear. At the time, owning horses was expensive, and wearing heels signified that the wearer was wealthy, powerful, and part of the elite ruling class.

King Louis XIV of France famously popularized red-heeled shoes in the late seventeenth century, establishing strict rules about who could wear them at court. Over time, men’s heels became more practical and blocky, while women’s heels began to evolve into narrower, more decorative styles. By the eighteenth century, men largely abandoned heels for a more utilitarian look, leaving them to become a permanent staple of women’s fashion.