So if you’ve been following my work for a while you will know that I am not a fan of heels. Why? Because simply they prevent our bodies resting in their natural alignment.

One question I get asked heaps is why then do shoes have heels? Which is usually followed by, but why is it often said that a small heel is good for us.

To answer those questions we need to dig a little into the history books, now I’m no historian so I’ll keep this quick, but it’s important.

Shoes with heels were originally worn by men. As far back as the 10th century, men wore heeled shoes or boots because they kept their feet in stirrups as they rode. (which is why cowboy boots have heels). The Persian cavalry wore inch-high heels, and the trend spread to Europe. Owning horses was expensive and time-consuming, so to wear heels implied the wearer had significant wealth.

Modern high heels were brought to Europe by emissaries of Shāh Abbās I of Persia in the early 17th century.[7] Men wore them to imply their upper-class status; only someone who did not have to work could afford, both financially and practically, to wear such extravagant shoes