Footwear choices have often been governed by strict social—and sometimes legal—rules.
We often view shoes as simple tools for protection or style. However, Margo DeMello’s encyclopedia reveals they are complex that reflect our status, beliefs, and even our survival. 1. Shoes as Symbols of Status and Gender Feet and Footwear: A Cultural Encyclopedia
The 2009 book , by cultural anthropologist Margo DeMello, serves as a comprehensive guide to the historical and social significance of what we wear on our feet. More Than Just a Step: Lessons from Feet and Footwear Footwear choices have often been governed by strict
While today they are largely a symbol of femininity, in 17th-century Europe, they were originally a sign of masculinity and high social status for men. by cultural anthropologist Margo DeMello