13 Truly Bizarre Facts You Never Knew About Shoes

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Who doesn’t love a few fun facts on a Friday—especially when shoes are involved? We recently stumbled on some strange and interesting footwear trivia that was too good not to share. From the meaning behind your shoe dreams to the origins of the wedge, keep scrolling for 13 conversation-starting facts shoes, glorious shoes! 

• 1 of 13

  1. Sneaking around and sneakers go hand in hand.

  
  EXPLORE: Street Style, white sneakers, Shoes, tulle skirt
  According to The New York Times, in the late 1800s, people started using the word sneakers because the rubber sole allowed you to “sneak” around without making a sound.
  
• 2 of 13

  2. Shoe sizes began with barleycorn.

  
  EXPLORE: Street Style, Shoes, Pointed Toe Flats, blue flats

  PHOTO: Collage Vintage
  In the early 1300s, Britain established the first means to measure shoe size. King Edward II declared barleycorn as the basis for shoe measurement. He ruled that the length of three barleycorns were equivalent to one inch, making this the standard for sizing.
  
• 3 of 13

  3. Men were the first to wear heels.

  
  EXPLORE: Street Style, Shoes, red heels, platform heels

  PHOTO: Adam Katz Sinding of Le 21ème
  For centuries, heels signified a high social standing rather than gender. It was also crucial for men riding horses to have a heel on their boot in order to stay in their stirrups.
  
• 4 of 13

  4. U.S. women own an average of 19 pairs of shoes.

  
  EXPLORE: Street Style, strappy heels, Shoes, heels
  According to this study, the average American woman has at least 19 pairs of shoes in their closet. How many do you own?
  
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  Related

  The Easy Hack to Stop Your Shoes From Squeaking

• 5 of 13

  5. The most expensive shoes ever sold for $660,000.

  
  EXPLORE: Celebrity Style, Shoes, heels, ruby red slippers

  PHOTO: Everett Collection
  Dorothy’s iconic ruby red slippers from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ naturally and rightfully so earn this top spot. The original pair sold at an auction in 2000.
  
• 6 of 13

  6. The first pair of right- and left-footed shoes was made in Philadelphia.

  
  EXPLORE: Street Style, Shoes, Sandals, red sandals

  PHOTO: Stockholm Street Style 
  Ouch—can you image the pain before this brilliant modification?
  
• 7 of 13

  7. Through an experiment, the wedge shoe was invented.

  
  EXPLORE: Street Style, Shoes, Wedges, open toe wedges

  PHOTO: A Love Is Blind
  Due to the trade close Italy experienced in the 1940s, steel was no longer available, so designer Salvatore Ferragamo experimented with new materials thus creating the wedge shoe.
  
• 8 of 13

  8. Most people mispronounce Teva; it’s actually Tev-AH.

  

  SHOP
  Say it out loud, Tev-AH.
  Shop our top pick: Teva Original Universal Leather Diamond Sandals ($60)
  
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  Related

  7 Life-Changing Hacks to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable

• 9 of 13

  9. Science can explain your shoe addiction.

  
  EXPLORE: Street Style, Shoes, heels, Boots

  PHOTO: Heather Telford
  Yes, buying those heels is totally justified, according to Suzanne Ferriss, PhD, editor of the book Footnotes: On Shoes.
  
• 10 of 13

  10. Shoe dreams can represent your approach to life.

  
  EXPLORE: Street Style, Shoes, platform sandals, ankle strap heels

  PHOTO: Adam Katz Sinding of Le 21ème
  Apparently, dreaming about shoes can signify whether you’re feeling well-grounded, or may indicate your level of self-esteem. Interesting, right? For more details about shoe dreams, head here.
  
• 11 of 13

  11. The first lady’s boot was created for Queen Victoria in 1840.

  
  EXPLORE: Street Style, Shoes, heeled booties, pointed toe boots

  PHOTO: Camille Over the Rainbow
  More than a century later and women still love the versatile style.
  
• 12 of 13

  12. Jimmy Choo constructed his first pair of shoes at age 11.

  
  Talk about a go-getter! Head here to shop Jimmy Choo’s best sellers!
  
• 13 of 13

  13. Carrie Bradshaw’s infamous shoe collection is estimated to cost more than $40,000.

  
  EXPLORE: Celebrity Style, Sarah Jessica Parker, midi dress, Shoes

  PHOTO: the coveteur
  If we had to ballpark it, we would have guessed way higher, but this article reveals the real cost of Bradshaw’s beloved shoe collection.
  Which fun fact surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments below! 
  

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