Everything You Didn't Know You Wanted to Know About High Heels: Platforms, Wedges, and Pumps
This description is for all women who have no idea what a kitten heel is! It is also for those women who have been secretly wondering what the divergence in the middle of a platform shoe and a wedge shoe is. If your knowledge of the most fashionable styles for your feet is a bit fuzzy, then jump right in and read on for all you could ever maybe have wanted to know about women's high heels, beginning, of course, with the definition: high heels are shoes where the heel of the foot is taller than the toe.
Pump Shoe
High Heel History: From the idea to the Contemporary
All About High Heels!
How to The Lost City Tube. Duration : 22.62 Mins.
Rand and Scott Bernard start a dangerous journey that will lead them into the very heartland of the Invid empire. They are planning to pick up supplies and rebel fighters who are eager to join them in their struggle to defeat the Invid, but the intrepid pair are unaware of the traps that the alien invaders have prepared.
Interestingly enough, that classic women's shoe known as the high heel originated not because of charm and fashion but because of dirt and filth. In aged Egypt, butchers wore heels so that their feet would be lifted above the blood on the ground, and, similarly, pattens (tall wooden soles) were worn in Europe during the Middle Ages to allow people to walk above the disgusting city streets which were littered with urine and feces.
From the 15th through the 17th centuries, heels called chopines were popularized throughout Europe. These heels could be over 30 inches tall, sometimes requiring women to use canes and servants to walk! Some surmise that chopines were invented by men to keep women immobile and submissive. But, in 1533, Queen Catherine D'Medici of France commissioned a shoe-maker to create for her a pAir of shoes not unlike modern platform wedges. And thus, that fashionable footwear known today as the high heel began.
Now, there were those troublesome words again! Platforms and wedges. What is the difference? First, let's pick apart the platform. Platform high heels are heels with a thick sole. Women's platform high heels are often seen as more comfortable than general high heels, because the lifted sole decreases the angle of your foot when it sits within the shoe, decreasing the stress on your toes and calves. For example, Jessica Simpson's Gobow shoe has a 5 inch heel accompanied by a 1 ¼ inch platform on the sole. The sexy slingback also features leather straps and a sassy zipper over the front, excellent for a girls' night out!
What about Wedges? Get the Low-Down.
While some platform high heels have stiletto heels, wedges do not. The definition of a women's wedge shoe is a shoe whose high heel occupies the enTire space under the arch and heel portions of the foot. Some wedge shoes feature a platform under the sole as well, so a shoe featuring both a wedge and a platform is possible as well! Wedges are versatile shoes that can actually be whether Dressed up or Dressed down. Take, for example, the Bcbg Airone open-toe wedge, which features a 3 ¼ inch wedge, a thick, adjustable ankle strap, and a t-strap. Wear this trendy shoe with shorts and a tunic on a hot summer's day for a casual look, or pAir it with a cute summer Dress for a more classic, Dressy apPearance.
Pull Out the Pumps for a Classy, customary Look
One considerable in every woman's closet is a pAir of versatile black pumps, but what, exactly, is a women's pumpshoe? Though they can differ in stylistic detail, pumps are most often defined as closed-toe and closed-heel shoes without buckles or laces but with a stiletto heel. Modern-style pumps have been favorite for women since the 1940's, but, like all shoe styles, the trends can be tweaked over time. Take Fergie's Marvel pump. Featuring textured plum-colored leather and sexy teardrop cutouts at the sides, as well as a involving 4 ½ inch heel, Fergie's Marvel pump combines the classic pointed-toe and women's pumpshoe style with a bit of some modern flair to create a stylish, sexy shoe.
High Heels from Platforms to Wedges to Pumps, Oh My!
Even though women's high heeled shoes originated out of a necessity to walk high above excessively filthy streets, today, at least one pair of high heels can be found in every woman's closet. Because of their popularity and differing styles, it is important to know the divergence in the middle of the numerous types of high heels so that you are well-prepared to pick out the excellent shoes for you!
Working as a pageant director for the last 16 years I have seen fads and changes in the beauty Pageant manufactures come and go. The Pageant manufactures mimics life in that change is inevitable. Here are my predictions for the near time to come based on my pageant directing experience.
1 More Contestants are selecting a Sandal Type shoe for swim suit competition. Contestants are selecting a sandal type shoe with a three to four inch heel for swim suit competition. The sandal type shoe gives a less formal look to the extensive impressions, as compared to the old type pumpshoe we have been using for the past 20 years. The color remains the same. The taupe color shoe gives a Longer Look to the leg as it Blends in with most skin tones. When modeling swim wear, all the time select a color closes to the natural color leg. This color provides less distraction when being judged and scored. When selecting a shoe for swim wear competition you want a shoe that will not take away from the flow of the leg. If selecting a dissimilar shoe color then taupe,it will draw more concentration to the foot and cut off the flat flow of the foot to the body that we are aiming for. If selecting a clear shoe, this shoe may cause the look to apPear more formal. If you decide to opt a clear shoe for swim wear, make sure the outer color is taupe.
Pump Shoe
2 Natural looking HAir Styles are manufacture a statement in the pageant industry. Over the years hAir styles have changed slowly . For the past 50 years the Teased Style said "I have a Royal Image" with its fixed and elegant look. This look has been consistent with the irregularity of the 1970s. The right look is being used again. The flat iron is becoming a Must to have for the 2000's pageant contestant. HAir is worn down for most Interview competitions regardless of what theory the contestants is competing in. For swim suit or sportswear competitions, the contestant normally pulls the hAir back in a sleek pony tail, or half up on the sides. Some ladies still use the heat rollers to give |a fuller look to the hair with a limited wave. This also looks Natural and most pageant systems at the state or national level don't allow stylist in the Dressing rooms. The contestant must carry on her hair with out the assistance of a professional. A uncomplicated French twist or a Low pony Tale is being used in evening gowncompetitions. The statement made is formal yet natural.
Pageant Predictions For the Next Few Years
3. Evening Gown are going to Ruffles One of the styles that manufacture a come back is the Ruffle in Evening Gown competition. Ruffles give a look of free style and a flirty apPeal. The ruffles are best used at the lowest of the Dress for a fuller and bolder look. The ruffles are rarely used at the top of the gown because it may cause a distraction to the contestants hair style and facial beauty. The Miss. Usa & Miss. Universe contestants use the Ruffle to catch the eye of the judges, and to add Glamor to the extensive impression.
4. Dramatic Eye Shadow is manufacture a Dramatic Statement. One thing arrival back for sure is the Smoky and Dramatic Eye! The 1960's set the look for Glamor Eye Shadow. | Stage make up should be dissimilar and more dramatic for pageant competition. Contestants use a lighter and brighter color at the top of the eye right under the brow. Using a limited darker color on the eye lid, followed by a darker color to contour the eye, gives that dramatic apPearance that all delegates want. The Eyes and Eye Brow are the focusing point when looking at one's face. So the brow should compliment the eye shadow by filling in with a darker powder on the brow to unblemished the Look. The Glamor look takes practice and can be achieved even by the beginner delegate.
5. The first-rate Swim Suit No More! The first-rate One Piece swim suit is ultimately fading away and taking a back seat to the two piece wonder. The Bikini is being worn by all contestants in dissimilar pageant systems.. Miss Usa, Miss. Universe and Miss America are all wearing the two piece swim suit. At one time the delegate had to wear a one color suit. Now, two colors are being worn, sometimes three and with patterns. In this era the mean pageant contestant must be physically fit to sport the Bikini! The one piece swim suit is still being worn by the Mrs. & The Ms. Contestants. This suit gives the elegant look for the ladies that have had children. It also covers stretch marks and imperfections. One thing remains the same, no matter what style chosen, the suit should be Fitted to compliment the contestant. These are my predictions for the upcoming pageant seasons. What is yours?
