The 20th century was an absolute rollercoaster for footwear. Shoes were no longer just items to protect your feet, they became symbols of identity, rebellion, glamour, and freedom. In just a few decades, sneakers transformed from sports gear into cultural icons, stilettos cemented themselves as the footwear of Hollywood sophistication, and entire movements pushed back by choosing to go barefoot. More than any other era, the 20th century proved that shoes speak volumes about who we are and what we believe in.

 

 

Sneakers were one of the century’s most defining innovations. At first, they were humble gym gear, designed for practicality and performance. But brands like Converse and Adidas soon elevated them into the cultural spotlight. Converse Chuck Taylors became the ultimate rebel shoe, a uniform for rock stars, skaters, and athletes alike. They were timeless, worn by everyone from basketball players in the 1920s to punk bands in the 1970s, and they never lost their cool factor. Chuck Taylors were effortless, authentic, and versatile, the Billie Eilish of footwear before Billie Eilish even existed. Adidas, on the other hand, leaned into sport-meets-style, turning performance shoes into lifestyle staples. By the mid-20th century, sneakers had broken free from the gym and claimed a permanent spot in streetwear. They weren’t just for running laps anymore, they were about running the culture.

 

 

While sneakers captured the streets, stilettos owned the spotlight. Hollywood glamour of the 1950s and 60s would not have been the same without the stiletto heel. Icons like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor made them the epitome of elegance and femininity. The stiletto’s sharp silhouette signaled confidence, allure, and power, transforming the way women moved both on screen and off. These shoes weren’t merely accessories, they were statements that turned every entrance into a performance. Decades later, stars like Zendaya carry that tradition forward, stepping onto red carpets in heels that command attention and respect. Stilettos in the 20th century became shorthand for sophistication, the shoe of choice for anyone who wanted to exude strength wrapped in style.

 

 

But just as shoes were reaching new heights of cultural importance, a counter-movement emerged. In the 1960s and 70s, the barefoot movement challenged the very idea that shoes were necessary at all. Counterculture communities rejected the stiffness of fashion and embraced the idea of grounding themselves directly to the earth. Going barefoot was a declaration of freedom, a way of rejecting mainstream expectations and reconnecting with something primal. It was rebellion through absence. Where sneakers and stilettos symbolized participation in fashion and culture, bare feet symbolized opting out entirely.

 

 

What makes the 20th century so fascinating is how these wildly different trends coexisted and shaped one another. On one side, you had sneakers democratizing fashion, making style accessible to all. On another, stilettos preserved a sense of exclusivity and aspiration, elevating those who wore them into icons. Meanwhile, barefoot movements questioned both, suggesting that maybe the truest form of authenticity was to abandon shoes altogether. Together, these trends show how footwear in this era was never just functional. It was expressive, political, and deeply personal.

 

 

Today, we inherit all of those legacies. Some people still swear by their retro sneakers, others reserve their stilettos for moments that demand glamour, and some prefer the simple comfort of going barefoot when they can. At Groov, we believe that what ties all of this together is the need for comfort and personalization. Shoes, whether flashy or understated, should not come at the cost of health. Our insoles are designed to slip into any style, bringing comfort to sneakers, elegance to heels, and even making minimalist shoes more supportive. The idea is simple: you can embrace the statement of your footwear without suffering for it.

 

 

So whether your vibe is retro sneaker nostalgia, red-carpet sophistication, or carefree barefoot moments, remember that your choice of footwear is always personal. It is an extension of identity, a reflection of culture, and a signal of how you want to show up in the world. The 20th century gave us a glimpse of just how powerful those choices can be, and today, Groov helps you carry that tradition forward, only with a lot more comfort built in.

 

 

 

 

Stay Groovy,
Santiago
Resident Groover