Just like your Spotify Wrapped today, during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, shoe trends revealed a lot about you. Footwear wasn’t just about keeping your soles safe, it was about flexing your place in society. Shoes became wearable masterpieces that spoke louder than words, signaling status, wealth, and personality in ways that made them the ultimate fashion statement of their time.

 

 

One of the most striking examples was the rise of the high heel. We can thank Louis XIV, the original short king, for popularizing heels as a way to elevate both his height and his royal swagger. His red-heeled shoes were a signal of unmatched power, visible proof that he ruled not just with authority but with style. And back then, heels weren’t limited to one gender. Men and women alike wore them as symbols of influence and extravagance. Imagine a court full of royals strutting in elevated shoes, projecting authority and glamour with every step. It was the 17th-century version of breaking boundaries, not unlike Harry Styles slipping into Gucci pumps today. The association of heels with power was so strong that long before they became emblems of femininity, they were simply markers of status.

 

 

While France had its heels, Venice contributed one of history’s most daring shoe designs: the chopine. These platform shoes were so tall that wearing them turned walking into a balancing act worthy of a circus performer. Some chopines reached heights of up to 20 inches, forcing women to lean on attendants just to cross the street. The shoes exaggerated height in a way that symbolized prestige but also turned everyday movement into a challenge. They were impractical, sometimes absurd, but undeniably eye-catching. For the wealthy Venetians who wore them, that was precisely the point. If you wanted everyone to know your status, teetering through the streets on stilts disguised as shoes was an unforgettable way to do it.

 

 

The extravagance didn’t stop at height. Shoes of the Renaissance and Baroque eras were crafted from luxurious materials like velvet, silk, and brocade, often adorned with jewels, pearls, or intricate embroidery. They weren’t designed for comfort. They were designed to be seen, admired, and envied. To slip into a pair of these shoes was to slip into a role: of wealth, influence, or royal grace. Much like today’s obsession with luxury sneakers or limited-edition drops, shoes in this period were cultural currency. Owning the most elaborate pair signaled that you were part of the elite. The craftsmanship and materials made them works of art, though not necessarily works of ergonomic design.

 

 

What all of this reveals is that footwear has always been more than just functional. Across history, shoes have been extensions of personality and status, shorthand for how you wanted the world to see you. A velvet-embroidered heel in the Baroque court sent the same kind of message that an exclusive pair of Jordans does now: I belong to a world you might not have access to. Fashion has always thrived on aspiration, and shoes have always carried that message most visibly.

 

 

Of course, the downside of this historical extravagance is that practicality was often sacrificed. Chopines may have been impressive, but they were not exactly safe. Heels elevated royals above the crowd, but they also created imbalance and strain. For centuries, fashion told a story of beauty, but rarely one of comfort. And that is where we step in today.

 

 

At Groov, we think the past is fascinating, but we don’t believe you should have to risk sprained ankles or aching arches just to wear shoes that make you feel confident. We continue the tradition of making footwear an expression of identity, but we do it with personalization, technology, and comfort at the forefront. Slip Groovs into your favorite shoes and you get the confidence and style that comes with footwear as art, but with none of the pain that history considered inevitable.

 

 

So the next time you lace, slip, or buckle into a pair of shoes, remember that you are walking in a long tradition of turning footwear into a statement. From the towering chopines of Venice to the regal heels of Louis XIV, shoes have always been about more than walking. They have been about who we are and how we want to be remembered. With Groov, you carry that legacy forward, only this time with technology that makes conquering your world not just possible, but comfortable.

 

 

 

 

Stay Groovy,
Santiago
Resident Groover