Sandals in Ancient Roman Fashion
From the Latin Sandaliu, the sandal was a shoe used by the Romans only for home use . In fact, to go out they wore calcei , or ankle boots.
When Caligula came to power, the Caligula sandals became fashionable, which the emperor had been wearing since he was a child. Then the Roman empresses began to wear jeweled sandals : these were made of a gold sole and straps rich in precious stones.
To understand how widespread the use of sandals was in Roman times and how they were the object of fashion, just think that, in the edict of Diocletian of 301 AD in which the maximum selling prices of all consumer goods were listed, there were 20 types of footwear , among which:
- Patricians' Calcei
- Senatorial Calcei
- Equestrian Caligae
- Female caligae
- Campages
- Urine
It is easy to understand why Italy is recognized throughout the world as the country that produces the most beautiful footwear . It is thanks to the Romans who knew how to take the best of each culture transforming it into excellence and beauty.
Sandals: From the Middle Ages to Today
In later times, sandals were associated with religious life and poverty, as happened during the Middle Ages. Until they were no longer used at all. Only during the French Revolution were they reintroduced as a symbol of protest against luxury and pomp.
We have to wait until the 1930s to restore dignity to sandals: at least until the 1950s, it was considered very sensual for women to show their bare feet . And, starting in the 1960s, men also began to wear sandals.
The sandal today: comfortable and versatile
In recent years sandals have had a large space in Italian and world fashion. Their fundamental requirement is always comfort , but it is possible to play on style and wear them for elegant or more casual occasions, even sports.
The fashion trend is increasingly moving towards the construction of a sandal that can be as precious as a more common shoe.
And this is how the jewel sandals of the CLOS Collection are born : one sandal, a thousand different styles.
Discover on the CLOS website how to have a different sandal every day, thanks to the interchangeable jewel accessories.