high10

hi how did the 50/60's stiletto closed high heel shoe differs from its 80's,90's and today counterpart

azraelle

Heels were generally thicker, and more underslung. Many of the more fancy versions had a somewhat Bell-bottom appearance as well, (or elephant's foot look--the heels getting slightly larger again near the base). Many of the boots had a back zipper; side-zippers weren't put in boots until the mid-60's. Since back zipper boots are much easier to put on, I don't know why the change was made.

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"All that you can decide, is what to do with the time that is given you."--Gandalf,
"Life is not tried, it is merely survived
-If you're standing outside the fire."--Garth Brooks

Anne_Louise

I think those wide-tipped stilettos were a fashion feature that didn't last all that long, though it might have returned from time to time. It might also have been a way to make stilettos more acceptable by causing less damage to floors. The first stilettos were very slender and had a much more graceful curve than the ones currently in fashion. I think the heel height was measured straight up the front of the heel, so the standard 21/2" or 3" of those days would be equivalent, I guess, to something like 41/2" or 43/4" in today's measuring.

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The higher the hemline the higher the heel

Paul (North-East)

I have to agree Anne Louise, the curve of the heel is rarely as graceful these days. Why can't manufacturers notice these things, it's so obvious. My wife has replaced many a pair of stilettos back on the shelf due to badly shaped heels.

Love, Paul.

tanjam7

Check my heels 1
http://s04.imagehost.org/0033/0172.jpg

tanjam7

Check the 60s heels 2

tanjam7

Check the 60s heels 2
http://s04.imagehost.org/0033/0182.jpg

tanjam7

Check the 60s heels 3
http://s04.imagehost.org/0033/376.jpg

Priscilla

i remember when stilettoes first appeared in England, there were so many health warnings. Women's ankles were expected to be broken regularly and feet would be deformed with the ultra pointed toes. The 60's toe styles tended to be much rounder

jay_nyca1

It's too bad that that era is over! I personally don't think that you'll see shoes made like that in that kind of quanity, again! Real examples are getting quite "rare & scarse" in anything over good condition!. . . .The new modern versions, just aren't the same.
jay_nyca1