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A lot of what’s normal in fashion today started out looking very different. Here are 5 facts about the history of clothing.
1. High heels were originally made for men
In the 17th century, high heels were worn by noblemen and Persian cavalrymen, serving as support for the feet in stirrups — they only later became associated mainly with women’s fashion.
2. Sunglasses were once used as a “medical accessory”
Before becoming a fashion item, dark glasses were prescribed for specific medical reasons, like protection after eye surgery — their popularization as an accessory came decades later.
3. Jeans were born as tough workwear
Denim jeans were created in the 19th century specifically for workers who needed a durable, resistant fabric — decades before becoming a staple of casual fashion worldwide.
4. Specific colors have signaled social status for centuries
In many historical cultures, certain fabric dyes were extremely expensive to produce (like purple), and were legally reserved exclusively for royalty and nobility in some regions.
5. The modern bra is less than 120 years old
While garments supporting the bust have existed for centuries, the modern bra design as we know it today was only patented in the early 20th century.
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