High heels in 17th century Europe were associated with masculinity and high social status. They began as a way of helping secure feet in stirrups. They have always been a way of appearing taller.
Industrialization made many more things possible. So it is in the 20th century that shoe styles took off. The Second World War made pin-up images popular and they showcased high heels: High heels definitely took on a sultrier appearance. Women began sporting slingback heels, and higher and higher heels.
Women’s footwear got that sleek update in the 1950s, when stilettos took off. A pin-up style photo of Joan Collins in white stiletto heels in 1957 still looks current today. The idea of shoes as a sex symbol took off, and the idea was that high heels could artificially increase a woman's femininity.
Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's outfit was completed with shoes named "kitten heels". Princess Diana wore the "Princess shoe". How many types of heels are there? Here are a few:
stacked heel
continental heel
setback heel
cuban heel
pantaloon heel
angle heel
stiletto heels, and many more.
What do you think about high heel jokes? There aren't very many and what's there is mostly profane, but this is the stand-out:
The police chief asked, "Do you have any leads or suspects for the murder case?" The officer responded, "I'd like to interview the bartender wearing high heels and a leopard print dress."
The chief frowned and said... "Please, just wear your police uniform."