Exploring Historical Shoe Styles: Crakows and Winklepickers

Exploring Crakows and Winklepickers

Crakows: Crakows, also known as Poulaines, were extravagant shoes with exaggerated pointed toes that were popular among the nobility in the late Middle Ages. These shoes were characterized by their extremely long and curled toes, sometimes requiring chains to be attached to the leg to aid in walking. However, their extravagant design led to controversy, and they were eventually outlawed in the 15th century due to their association with vanity and moral degradation.

Winklepickers: In contrast, Winklepickers emerged in the 1950s as a style of shoes with sharp pointed toes, inspired by the medieval Poulaines but less extreme in design. Winklepickers gained popularity among the youth and subcultures such as rockers and mods, becoming a symbol of rebellion and fashion forwardness.

Despite being outlawed and facing criticism in the past, both Crakows and Winklepickers have left a lasting impact on the history of footwear, showcasing the evolution of fashion trends and societal attitudes towards style.