A Study on the Changes of Western Shoes - from Medieval Times to Modern Times -

서양신발의 변천과정에 관한 연구 - 중세~근대를 중심으로 -

Modern footwear is accepted as a fashion accessory that plays the role of a point of style, which reflects trends and makes use of individuality and stylishness, not a practical means itself. This study considers diverse types of western shoes, which had been historically popular from, and about a role in accordance with it, and grasps the occurrence background and the aesthetic characteristics in shoes type, which had initiated fashion in the historically cultural aspect. Thus, the aim is to be conducive to developing design related to modern shoes. As a result of this study, shoe styles have changed in relation to the historical situation throughout every period from medieval times to mid-modern times. Two functions of shoes, practicality and aesthetics, could be observed tendency of leading fashion in the middle of mutual control and supplementation according to social conditions, economic strength in a person of wearing shoes, social standing, and gender. Accordingly, considering that designs related to shoes are influenced by the historical conditions, continuous research on unique designs according to each era is thought to be necessary to develop shoe designs of the future.