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“Dressed to Kill”
Oil 10” x 10” $125
© Sharon Lewis
SOLD
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This was a
fun subject to paint and really got me thinking about both the fun and the pain
associated with women’s fashion. I love the different colors and textures you
find in women’s clothes and shoes and how we don’t have to wear essentially the
same thing every day. I love novelty! However, I was wondering how we ever
developed a trend that encouraged women to hobble in pain in incredibly high-heeled
shoes just to be fashionable.
A brief
review online of the origins of high heels reminded me that they were
previously worn by both men and women and were often associated with status. What
I didn’t know was that they were also used by men in Persia (now Iran) to
secure their feet to their stirrups so that they could ride and shoot arrows
from their horses. Then apparently, the heels caught on with aristocrats such
as King Louis XIV. He used them to increase his short stature (5’4”), and
restricted the wearing of red heels (his favorite) only to those in his court.
Over time, men’s shoes became more practical and women’s shoes went in the
opposite direction. Maybe it’s time to give them back to men?
Have a
happy and comfortable weekend!
