Why Did Men Stop Wearing Heels?

The Surprising History of Men Wearing Heels—And Why They Stopped

Lil Nas X in towering platforms at the 2023 Met Gala.Theo Wargo/Getty Images

If you’ve seen the latest fashion shows or red carpet looks, you might have noticed a trend—men wearing heels. Whether it’s Jaden Smith in chunky loafers, Jared Leto in gold pumps, or Billy Porter rocking platform boots, heels on men are making a statement. But here’s a little-known fact: men actually wore heels first!

Yep, before high heels became a staple in women’s fashion, they were a symbol of status and masculinity. So, what changed?

Men in Heels: It All Started With Horses

Men show off their heeled booties in a late 17th-century engraving made in Versailles, France.Sepia Times/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

The history of heels goes way back—like, 10th-century Persia back. Originally, they weren’t about fashion at all but function. Horse riders wore heeled boots to keep their feet secure in stirrups, and since owning horses was a sign of wealth, heels became a status symbol.

King Louis XIV in red heels is one of the most famous examples in art history.Imagno/brandstaetter images/Getty Images

Fast forward to the 16th century, when heels made their way to Europe, and aristocrats—especially men—embraced them. The higher the heel, the more powerful you were. French king Louis XIV took it to the next level, wearing red heels as a symbol of royalty (a move that Christian Louboutin would later turn into a luxury brand trademark).

So Why Did Men Stop Wearing Heels?

In the 1920s and 1930s, heeled shoes were very popular, but no longer as high as in previous centuries.

By the 18th century, fashion started to shift. The Enlightenment era brought new ideas about gender roles—men were seen as rational and practical, while women were viewed as decorative. This meant men’s fashion became simpler, while women’s fashion embraced more extravagant styles—including heels.

Heels were also associated with femininity because of a new beauty trend: tiny feet. Women’s shoes were designed to make their feet look smaller, and high heels became part of that aesthetic. By the early 19th century, heels on men had almost completely disappeared.

A Quiet Comeback: Heels in Modern Men’s Fashion

Vivienne Westwood's Fall-Winter show in Paris featured men wearing heels.Peter White/Getty Images

Although heels for men never fully returned to mainstream fashion, they’ve had their moments. In the 1970s and ‘80s, rock stars like Prince and David Bowie brought heels back into the spotlight. And today, we see them popping up on runways, red carpets, and fashion-forward celebrities who aren’t afraid to challenge gender norms.

Billy Porter on the red carpet for the Golden Globes in 2020 in an all-white outfit.Daniele Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images

Despite this, heels for men still aren’t widely accepted. It’s ironic—height is seen as attractive for men, and some even go to extreme lengths (like painful leg-lengthening surgeries) to be taller. So why not just wear heels? Maybe it’s time we rethink outdated fashion rules and reclaim what was once a men’s style staple.

Iconic Lady Gaga, American singer, songwriter, actress and a fan of platform high heels shoes

Would You Wear Heels?

As more designers embrace gender-fluid fashion, we might see heels becoming a normal part of men’s wardrobes again. What do you think—would you rock a pair? Let’s chat in the comments!