If you’ve never heard of elevator shoes before, the first thing to note is they have nothing to do with elevators. However, they have everything to do with height.
For individuals who are on the shorter end of the height range, elevator shoes give the wearer a naturally taller look. This by no means excludes the lankier individual.
In fact, elevator shoes have come to find a home in the closet of many a shoe lover.
A Brief History of Elevator Shoes.
While the term “Elevator Shoes” is relatively new to the ears of a fashion novice, the idea of shoes that enhance height is almost as old as when shoes were first invented. Modern high heels worn by a woman for instance was first recorded to have been worn by Catherine de Medici who appeared taller during her wedding.
However, even heeled boots dated back to pre-1700’s when the Persian Cavalry wore boots with heels to ensure their feet stayed in their stirrups.
In elite French society, wearing high-heeled shoes were worn to distinguish their wearers from the lower classes.
Men largely abandoned wearing heels when they became a common element of women’s fashion in the mid-18th century. Nevertheless, the benefits of shoes with elevated heels that are not as apparent as high heels are making a strong comeback in men’s footwear.
How Do Elevator Shoes Work?
Elevator shoes often have a hidden increaser in the form of insoles. These insoles help absorb the impact of walking as well as adding height. Quality insoles keep your feet comfortable and cushioned. Quality elevator shoes will often also have mid-insoles, these act to provide protection for the insole from deteriorating as well as providing aeration for the entire shoe.
Benefits of Elevator Shoes
Though they may complete a well-put-together look, elevator shoes have been proven to have benefits that go beyond aesthetics. Let’s delve deeper into a few benefits of wearing elevator shoes.
Improved Posture
Elevator shoes provide added protection to your knees and ease back pain. A decrease in knee and back pain naturally allows you to walk straighter, with your shoulders at a straighter angle. An improved posture has many health benefits such as minimizing the risk of sprain and strain injuries, as well as preventing the spine from becoming fixed in an abnormal position.
Balance Correction
Following on from improving posture, wearing elevator shoes can also correct asymmetry in the lower limbs. Asymmetry in the legs can pose health problems like increased susceptibility to injury. For instance, studies show that the dominant leg can take on more injury risks than the non-dominant leg.
Confidence Booster
Whoever said good things come in small packages was indeed accurate. A simple shoebox containing a pair of elevator shoes can make an elevated difference.
We’ve already talked about an increase in height when you wear a pair of elevator shoes. Height has always been a confident booster. In the article The Height of Confidence, The Guardian states, “Ours is a culture that valorizes the tall and belittles, as it were, the short. Consequently, having a tall stature comes with numerous benefits.”
It also goes on to say, “Height is also linked to career success: it’s estimated that a person standing six feet tall could earn approximately £100,000 more over a 30-year career compared to someone who is five foot four.”
So, while you can’t change your height, you certainly can change your shoe type.
For anyone wanting to improve their appearance with added height and class, elevator shoes are the way to go. In a cacophony of shoes, grabbing elevator shoes is the easier and smarter choice to make, considering you’re not only getting style for your buck, but the added long-term health benefits as well.