Wooden Shoes

When people think of wooden shoes, Dutch footwear automatically comes to mind.  In fact, wooden shoes have been around since the times of  the ancient Egyptian. Serving to protect the foot from harsh terrain, water and farm equipment, wooden shoes have been both decorative and utilitarian throughout history.

First appearing in Egypt more than four thousand years ago, these shoes made of wood were a great innovation of the time. In the form of sandals, these shoes afforded more protection than leather shoes.  Sharp rocks couldn't pierce the soles. Unlike other cultures, the ancient Egyptians didn't regularly etch patterns and designs into their sandals. 

Wooden shoes would make their next appearance in Greece, in the form of clogs. Again, harsh terrain was a factor, but heat would also play a role in the use of these shoes.  Because air is always circulating in the open space of the shoe, feet were kept cool, helping to regulate body temperature. The Romans would soon steal this design, adding their own artistic twist. Wealthy, fashionable Romans had the clogs inlaid with mother of pearl or silver. Those who wanted to stand out would have leather uppers covering the toe and forefoot  The outside of the shoe was sometimes decorated with stones like jade, or even little bells that jingled as the wearer walked, announcing his arrival.

At the same time the Romans were adorning their feet with wooden shoes, eastern cultures were adopting them as well. In these cultures, the shoes  were worn, not for their utility but for their appearance. Turkish clogs were an exaggerated form of the Greek clog, with long inward curling toes. Intricate and ornate designs were carved into the shoes,, accentuated with paint in the crevasses. Wealthy people used metallic colors to cover the entire shoe, such as gold and silver. 

In the 16th and 18th centuries, high-ranking aristocratic women began wearing the wooden sandal in France. Dress shoes were made from expensive satin, lace and beads. Fashionable women who had to venture into the great muddy outdoors found the wooden sandal a perfect form of  foot protection.  Raised wooden sandals were crafted for the ladies to allow them to socialize outside and keep the bottom edges of their finery out of puddles.

While we tend to think the Dutch have always worn wooden shoes, the fact is the Dutch started wearing them about 100 years ago.  The Dutch embraced them with great enthusiasm and soon nearly everyone in the Netherlands owned a pair. Just like the ancient Greeks, the Dutch understood that shoes of wood made for cooler feet, and were also hygienic. Sweat was absorbed into the shoe, keeping the foot dry.  Today, even with the invention of rubber boots, some Dutch still wear wooden shoes to honor their tradition.  Honored they should be, for they have protected the human foot for more than four thousand years.

 



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