If you have any fascination in women’s shoes, you can not afford to have not heard of pumps. Pumps shoes are a timeless footwear which has been on the scene for several years. This is one of the most common forms of women’s shoes, and there are lots of good reasons why this is so – comfortable, trendy, and suitable for practically any kind of attire.

But what exactly are pumps? In their primitive form, pumps have close counter and top line that is cut out from the back to the top of the foot at the toe box. They are largely designed without shoe laces, or buckles, or straps or ties and they do not possess a vamp seam. However there is never a shortage of pumps, they range from peep toes, pointed toes, ankle straps, and even heels vary in type and height. In this article, let’s focus on the pumps and learn more about the history of these Shoe s, the main types, and how to wear them.

History

Pumps, a style of shoe that is now exclusively associated with women, actually originated as a type of footwear for men. Regarding its background, many historians sooner or later believe that the pump developed from the chopines, which is a kind of shoes with high heels and became fashionable among the rich aristocracy to wear. Others think that the invention of pumps were in the Near East in the earliest as male equestrian shoes that gave better grips on stirrups which is featured to date in cowboy boots.

There dressed footwear for men and women did not differ significantly until the mid 1600 s. But they different, men’s shoes were more functional and morphology, women’s shoes were more elegant and made from silk and velvet materials with rhinestones and spangles. Shoes during this time were mainly regarded as functional wear, and pumps symbolized opulence and spoiling oneself.

Thus by early nineteenth century, revolutions all over Europe and the United States saw no ergonomics in royalty and hence the fate of pumps. Ballet slipped then evolved into the new fashion trend for women’s shoe.

Still the pump did return in mid 1800s backed with brass heels and higher than before. Known as court shoes in Europe, they were referred to as pumps in United States.

Although the stiletto like foot spectacles are clearly seen as a modern creation, the pump as we are accustomed to seeing it today originally came into existence after World War II, with shoe designer, Roger Vivier’s introduction of the three inch stiletto heel in the year, 1954. It replaced the court shoes that had dominated footwear market for the last 100-years with something much more flashy.

While the pump has had trends of it going in and out like any other shoe, it is still considered a timeless fashion shoe.

Pros and Cons

Pumps are footwear and they are good accompaniments with most dresses. They are able to stretch the leg with more muscle development on the calves, bottom, and breasts. Pumps can also be used to fix posture and therefore some people appear taller and more confident when they are putting them on.

However they become unhealthy for the health of individual wearing them and this is because they lead to several health problems that include hypertension, skeletal and muscular problems, pain and swelling, among others when worn frequently but pumps. They also lead to Hammer toes, Bunions and lower back aches. Also, pumps are cumbersome shoes to wear and their use is inconvenient since individuals will be prone to falls, sprains and even fractures.

All in all, pumps can prolong your glamour but you should not over-do it and also know that pumps are bad for your health.