Safety Shoes Evolution: Function + Fashion
Steel toe shoes weren’t made for the runway. Originating in Germany, they were built for workers to protect their feet from physical hazards while on the job. Built to last, these work boots were practical solutions for growing industrial safety issues.
They were usually reinforced with steel, giving them their name. On the field, the shoes would protect workers from getting injured by falling or sharp objects. Eventually, they evolved into combat boots with rubber outsoles and sturdy leather uppers.
So, how exactly did work shoes make it to the runway?
Let’s get right into it.
How the Steel Toe Became a Fashion Trend
The steel toe became a bold fashion statement in the 1960s. It was widely popular among the working-class youth in London, who rebelled against the conservatism and austerity of their time.
Ironically, the safety shoes became weapons as well and were sometimes used to cause harm in street fights. Mostly, however, the steel toe was a symbol of working-class pride, self-expression, and rebellion.
Pete Townsend, a vocalist and guitarist of The Who, was the first high-profile celebrity to wear the iconic Dr. Martens in public. It quickly became a staple in the music scene. From then on, steel toes permeated various subcultures from grunge to punk.
By the 1980s, the trend made its way across the pond due to bands like The Clash. Madonna also helped propel the punk style into American pop culture with her feminine and free-spirited take on functional work boots. As steel toes were designed for men, women used to buy the smallest sizes then customize them with flowers and colors.
Modern Steel Toes: Comfort, Style, and Fashion
Generation after generation, the steel toe has continuously evolved to reflect the culture and fashion of the times. But just like before, the boots are ever-enduring. They are built to last a lifetime, ensuring that every pair can be handed down from one generation to the next.
Modern iterations, however, are far more comfortable than ever with extra cushioning and lighter materials that won’t turn your feet into a sweaty mess.
Steel-toed footwear made its debut on the runway at Perry Ellis’ spring show in 1993. Sending girls down the runway in flannel shirts, floral dresses, and knitted skullcaps with Doc Martens, it was a controversial yet radical year for high fashion. It was a bold move that got a 29-year-old Marc Jacobs the boot.
It was the show that made him into the designer we know and love today. Although he got fired, Marc Jacobs had reinvigorated the trend.
The steel toe was no longer just for the rebel without a cause. It became everyone’s shoe. No matter your class, background, or wealth, you can wear the utilitarian work shoes in any way you see fit, even without the teenage angst.