PHOTOS: The 5 Most Noteworthy Shoes In History

by Sponsored Content | 12:53 pm, May 22nd, 2011

If Sophie Theallet‘s collection for Nine West represents the future of footwear, what does its past look like? From the world’s oldest shoe to the very first pair of stiletto heels, we present the most important shoes in footwear history — and to be honest, we wouldn’t be surprised if one of Theallet’s shoes didn’t take a place among these five some day.

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1.The World's Oldest Shoe

Thought those Roman gladiator sandals were the first example of footwear in the world? Think again. Earlier this year, a group of archaeologists found a pair of leather lace ups in a cave in Armenia. They're estimated to be over 5,500 years old and they're remarkably well preserved -- you can still see the laces. Think about that the next time it takes you six months to wear out a pair of ballerina flats.

2.Roger Vivier's Stilettos

Ever slip into a stiletto? Thank this guy. The invention of the skinny high heel is widely disputed, but more than a few people credit Roger Vivier with inventing the shoes for Christian Dior's models to wear down the catwalk in the late 1930s. The world (and our feet) have never been the same.

3.Dorothy's Ruby Slippers

Why are these on the list? Try to tell us you watched this movie as a child and didn't ask your parents for shoes exactly like these.

4.Gogo Boots

Nancy Sinatra ~~said~~ sang it best: These boots were made for walking. The low-heeled go go boot was introduced to much fanfare in the 1960s, and after decades of the tyranny of the stiletto, it's no wonder why.

5.Alexander McQueen's Armadillo Heels

Not for the faint of heart or weak of ankle, the Armadillo heel has become one of those impossibly talked about pieces of clothing that you never see anyone actually wearing it. Lady Gaga wore a version of this shoe in her music video for Bad Romance, and we find that fitting. We've got a bad romance going on with these shoes.