Crakows
Crakows were long, pointed shoes popular in the 14th century, especially in Poland and later across Europe. The longer the toe, the more fashionable the shoe. Some reached up to 24 inches in length and were so impractical that chains had to be attached to keep the toes from dragging.
This trend was linked to status—nobles wore the longest crakows while peasants were banned from copying the style. The shoes hindered walking, dancing, and even mounting horses. Eventually, the absurdity led to laws restricting their length. Crakows show how far fashion can push the boundary between elegance and absurdity.
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