Although there is some debate regarding the exact time when Square Toed shoes first appeared, (believe it or not, people actually debate when Square Toe shoes came into existence) research points to sometime in the middle of the fifteenth century. Historians note that King Charles VIII of France had Polydactylism, the medical term for six toes on each foot. Due to his condition and subsequently wider foot, the king needed a special shoe with a broader front; hence, the inception of the Square Toed shoe.

The popularity of a broad front shoe increased through problems suffered by other nobles as well. During the reign of King Charles, Duke Leopold II of Austria actually died because his long and pointy shoes hindered him from evading his assassins. The royal adoption of a Square Toed shoe was inevitably a major precipitator for the fashion shift, and responsible for the shoe’s popularity today.

From then on, natives of England began to wear Square Toed shoes during the 1550s. Shoes were designed to fit the foot in ergonomic fashion and were therefore made with square toes. The square toe fashion held true for men and women. Shoes were low-cut for all and sometimes rolled back to reveal a colored lining.

The invention of the high heel in the late sixteenth century led to a new trend of square toed fashion. Designed for Louis XIV of France, as a tool to augment his modest height, the new shoes boasted long tongues, large buckles or bows, and, of course, square toes. From this point, the square toed shoe remained basically unchanged until the turn of the nineteenth century.

By 1830, the square toe had come into mass adoption. The boom in industry led to large- antique_boot scale growth for light and forgiving footwear. The shoes they wore were initially developed for speculative sale in shops, but manufacturers found other lucrative distribution avenues. While laboring many hours on their feet, the shoes appealed to the workers because they allowed the wearer’s foot to rest naturally over the edge of the sole.

The square toe trend continued in the 1900 as well, especially in Turkish style fashion. At this time, square toed boots became vogue and were worn with long smoking jackets and light colored gaiters.

After a long and evolving lifespan, square toe shoes and boots remain popular and fashionable. Loved for unmatched comfort and distinct style, almost everyone can relate and pull a pair from their wardrobe.

Still searching for more on the history of square toed shoes?

Square Toe Shoe Trivia

Toward the end of the 15th century, Charles VIII of France popularized men's shoes with square toes. Why? Charles hoped to hide the fact that he had six toes on one of his feet.

[Trivia: In 14th century France, Philip the Fair forbade dukes, counts, barons and their wives from owning more than four garments however, his edicts did not mention shoes. This prompted many outrageous fashions; chiefly including the the so-called poulaine (named for its inventor), a shoe with a tip varying in length from a few inches (for commoners) to two feet (for princes and noblemen). These shoes caused a hazard during the Crusades; many crusaders had trouble running, and had to cut off the tips before making their escapes. Hence, the inception of Square Toe Shoes]

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